Document Document Title
US09531406B2 Decoding of LDPC code
It is provided a method for decoding a sequence of bits encoded by a LPDC code. The method comprises providing a set of bit states, including a first state and a second state, and a set of conditions to change a bit state including a first condition 5 and a second condition. The first condition and the second condition are different. The method comprises reading the value of each bit of the sequence, associating each bit to a respective state of the set according to the values as read, determining that an evaluated condition is met and changing the state of the target bit as a result of the condition being met. The method may then set the value of the target bit of the 10 sequence according to the state thereof. Such a method provides a solution for decoding a sequence of bits encoded by a LDPC code with better performance than the classic bit-flipping algorithm with only a slight increase in complexity.
US09531403B2 Adaptive compression supporting output size thresholds
Methods and systems for adaptive compression include compressing input data according to a first compression ratio; pausing compression after a predetermined amount of input data is compressed; estimating which of a set of ranges a compressed output size will fall within using current settings; and performing compression on a remainder of the input data according to a second compression ratio based on the estimated range.
US09531401B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit device and data processing system
The semiconductor integrated circuit device has: more than one analog port; an A/D conversion part operable to execute an A/D conversion process for converting an analog signal taken in through each analog port into a digital signal for each preset virtual channel; and an A/D conversion control part operable to control an action of the A/D conversion part. The A/D conversion control part includes: virtual channel registers on which correspondence between the virtual channel and the analog port can be set; and a scan-group-forming register on which a start position of a scan group and an end position thereof can be set. The A/D conversion control part controls the A/D conversion part to successively execute an A/D conversion process on a plurality of virtual channels from a virtual channel associated with the start pointer to a virtual channel associated with the end pointer.
US09531395B2 Method and devices for time and frequency synchronization using a phase locked loop
This invention relates to methods and devices for time and frequency synchronization, especially over packet networks using, for example, the IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP). Timing protocol messages are exposed to artifacts in the network such as packet delay variations (PDV) or packet losses. Embodiments of the invention provide a digital phase locked loop (DPLL) based on direct digital synthesis to provide both time and frequency signals for use at the slave (time client). An example of this DPLL in conjunction with a recursive least squares mechanism for clock offset and skew estimation is also provided.
US09531382B1 Search for impedance calibration
A non-volatile storage system includes an impedance code calibration circuit. The device has a first variable impedance circuit and a second variable impedance circuit coupled to a calibration node. The device has a control circuit configured to access a previous impedance code for a previous impedance calibration and to divide the previous impedance code into a main impedance code and a remainder impedance code. The control circuit is configured to perform a search for a new impedance code starting with the main impedance code applied to the first variable impedance circuit while maintaining the remainder impedance code to the second variable impedance circuit. The control circuit is configured to add the final impedance code for the first variable impedance circuit with the remainder impedance code to produce a new impedance code for the impedance calibration.
US09531378B1 Method and apparatus for driving a power device
Aspects of the disclosure provide a circuit for driving a power switch. The circuit includes a first circuit configured to provide a charging current to charge a control terminal of the power switch, a second circuit configured to provide a discharging current to discharge the control terminal of the power switch, and a control circuit configured to provide control signals to the first circuit and the second circuit to activate/deactivate the first circuit and the second circuit. At least one of the charging current and the discharging current ramps from a first level to a second level at a rate.
US09531377B2 Semiconductor device
The present invention has an object to provide a semiconductor device that has protective functions and is capable of achieving miniaturization and cost reduction. A semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a switching element, a drive circuit, and a control circuit. When a high-level drive control signal is output from the drive circuit, the control circuit stops driving of the switching element and charges an electric charge storing capacitor. When a low-level drive control signal is output from the drive circuit, the control circuit drives the switching element using electric charges stored in the electric charge storing capacitor.
US09531371B2 Restoring OFF-state stress degradation of threshold voltage
A method for at least partially compensating for a change in threshold voltage level of a FET transistor induced by OFF-state stress degradation includes determining a signal indicative of a change in threshold voltage level of the FET with respect to a reference threshold voltage level, and applying a restoration signal to the FET. This restoration signal is adapted for shifting the threshold voltage level of the FET in a direction having opposite sign with respect to the change in threshold voltage level. Applying the restoration signal further includes taking into account the signal indicative of the change in threshold voltage level.
US09531362B1 Semiconductor device including delay circuit and operating method thereof
A semiconductor device includes a calibration code generation circuit suitable for generating a calibration code by adjusting a period of a short-term oscillation signal oscillating at a period less than a reference period, based on a reference oscillation signal oscillating at the reference period; and a delay circuit suitable for setting a delay value based on the calibration code.
US09531357B2 Digital circuit for generating a pulse-width modulated signal, particularly for regulating an analog variable
A digital circuit configuration for generating a pulse-width modulated signal, particularly for regulating an analog electrical variable using pulse-width modulation, is described in which an actual value of the analog variable present at the input of an A/D converter is converted to a digital output variable, the digital output variable of the A/D converter being provided or supplied to a comparator unit, which compares the output variable to an upper threshold value and to a lower threshold value; at the output of the comparator unit, a signal being present which indicates whether the output variable of the A/D converter lies above the upper threshold value or below the lower threshold value; and it being particularly provided that the output of the A/D converter is connected to a digital timer, using which the pulse-width ratio of a generated pulse-width modulated signal is settable.
US09531350B2 Level shifters for IO interfaces
An integrated circuit which includes a pre-driver configured to receive a first high supply voltage and to generate an input signal and at least one post-driver configured to receive at least one second high supply voltage and to receive the input signal. The at least one post-driver includes an input node configured to receive the input signal and an output node configured to output an output signal. The at least one post-driver further includes a pull-up transistor configured to be in a conductive state during an entire period of operation, and a pull-down transistor. The at least one post-driver further includes at least one diode-connected device coupled between the pull-down transistor and the output node. Each post-driver of the at least one post-driver is configured to supply the output signal having a second voltage level corresponding to a high logic level which is higher than an input voltage level.
US09531337B2 Transmitter digital-to-analog converter (DAC)-baseband filter (BBF) common mode interface
Removing common-mode current from a pair of complementary current signals, including: generating a common-mode voltage of the pair of complementary current signals including at least a first current signal and a second current signal; measuring and outputting a difference voltage between the generated common-mode voltage and a common-mode reference voltage; and removing at least a portion of the common-mode current from the first current signal and the second current signal based on the difference voltage.
US09531333B2 Formant amplifier
A method can include receiving audio data within a band of frequencies; amplifying individualized formant frequencies within the band of frequencies; and outputting audio data that includes at least one of the amplified individualized formant frequencies. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
US09531330B2 Low noise amplifier for multiple channels
An amplifier system has an amplifier for amplifying a plurality of input signals from a plurality of different channels, and a plurality of demodulators each operatively coupled with the amplifier for receiving amplified input signals from the amplifier. Each demodulator is configured to demodulate a single amplified input channel signal from a single channel of the plurality of different channels. The system thus also has a plurality of filters, coupled with each of the demodulators, for mitigating the noise.
US09531322B2 Dynamically reconfigurable photovoltaic system
A PV system composed of sub-arrays, each having a group of PV cells that are electrically connected to each other. A power management circuit for each sub-array has a communications interface and serves to connect or disconnect the sub-array to a programmable power grid. The power grid has bus rows and bus columns. A bus management circuit is positioned at a respective junction of a bus column and a bus row and is programmable through its communication interface to connect or disconnect a power path in the grid. As a result, selected sub-arrays are connected by selected power paths to be in parallel so as to produce a low system voltage, and, alternately in series so as to produce a high system voltage that is greater than the low voltage by at least a factor of ten.
US09531298B2 Inverter device
When in an operation mode in which an alternating current voltage Vout is output using a positive voltage V1 of a direct current power source 1 input via a switching element Q1, a negative voltage V2 of the direct current power source 1 input via a switching element Q2, and a zero voltage Vz input via a bidirectional switch element BS1 or an alternating current voltage Vs input via a bidirectional switch element BS2, in the period in which the polarity of the output voltage Vout and the polarity of an output current Iout are the same, a control signal of an element to be caused to perform an on/off operation is generated by being pulse-width modulated using a carrier signal S with a first frequency, and in the period in which the polarity of the output voltage Vout and the polarity of the output current Iout are different, a control signal of an element to be caused to perform an on/off operation is generated by being pulse-width modulated using a carrier signal with a second frequency lower than the first frequency.
US09531264B2 Auxiliary recharge
The present invention generally relates to powering a switching controller of a switch mode power converter (SMPC), and more particularly to a method of providing power to a switching controller of a SMPC, to a charging circuit for supplying charge to a charge store for providing power to a switching controller of a SMPC, and to an SMPC comprising such a circuit. A method of providing power to a switching controller of a switch mode power converter (SMPC), the SMPC having: an inductive component having a winding coupled to receive power from an input to said SMPC; a switching circuit comprising first and second switching transistors, said first transistor coupled in series between said winding and said second transistor; a switching controller to control switching of said second transistor; and a charge store to provide power to said switching controller, the method comprising: flow of current from said winding through said first transistor; and diverting said current through a conduction path to said charge store.
US09531261B2 Power supply control device
A power-supply control device that includes a transistor that is interposed between a power source and a load; a control circuit to which a voltage from the power source is applied, the voltage being applied across a high-voltage side input terminal and a low-voltage side input terminal of the control circuit, and that is configured to turn the transistor on or off based on an operating signal for the load that is applied from an external device, and controlling supply of power to the load; a voltage detector that is configured to detect a value of the voltage applied to the control circuit by the power source, and is configured to determine whether or not the applied voltage value detected is lower than a predetermined voltage value; and a negative voltage output circuit.
US09531250B2 Power conversion device and refrigeration/air-conditioning system
A power conversion device according to the present invention includes a power supply, a booster unit (a reactor, a switch) that boosts a voltage supplied from the power supply by switching control, a smoothing circuit that smoothes an output voltage from the booster unit, a rectifier that is arranged between the booster unit and the smoothing circuit to prevent a current reverse flow toward the booster unit, and a commutation unit that is connected to the rectifier in parallel to commutate a current flowing through the rectifier toward itself.
US09531233B2 Motor connection module for suppressing connecting defects
A motor includes a motor unit, a gear housing coupled to the motor unit, and a connector module including a connector housing coupled to the gear housing. The motor unit includes a rotation shaft and a power terminal. The gear housing accommodates a deceleration mechanism that outputs decelerated rotation of the rotation shaft. The connector terminal and the circuit substrate are fixed to the connector housing. The power terminal is connected to a socket of the connector terminal when coupling the connector housing to the gear housing. The connector terminal includes a fixed portion fixed to the connector housing, a substrate connecting portion connected to the circuit substrate, and a supported portion located closer to the socket than the substrate connecting portion. The connector housing includes a terminal supporting portion that supports the supported portion from the rear in the coupling direction.
US09531231B2 Radially offset motor control housing
A motor comprising a rotor, a stator, a motor shell, a pair of motor endshields, and a controller housing is provided. The rotor is rotatable about an axis. The stator presents opposite axial ends. The motor shell extends around the axis to at least partly circumscribe the rotor and stator. Each motor endshield is positioned adjacent a respective one of the stator ends and provides support for the rotor. The fastener extends through and interconnects the stator and endshields. The controller housing defines an electronics compartment positioned radially outside the motor shell. The controller housing includes a connector that receives the fastener so as to fix the controller housing to the stator and endshields.
US09531230B2 Motor bearing for electric submersible motors
A motor bearing for an electric submersible motor is described. An electric submersible motor includes a rotatable motor shaft extending longitudinally through a submersible motor, a bearing sleeve secured to the rotatable motor shaft in between two adjacent rotor sections, a motor bearing radially outward from the bearing sleeve and pressed against a stator bore, wherein the motor bearing comprises a series of magnets dispersed around an outer diameter of the motor bearing, and an insulation layer covering a surface of each magnet of the series of magnets, wherein the insulation layer faces the stator bore. A motor bearing includes a series of recessions dispersed around an outer axial surface of a motor bearing, a magnet inset in each recession of the series of recessions, and an insulation layer coating a surface of each of the magnets.
US09531226B2 Rotor of internal permanent magnet synchronous motor and internal permanent magnet sycnronous motor
A rotor of an internal permanent magnet synchronous motor including a rotor core, a plurality of slots formed in the rotor core, and a plurality of permanent magnets housed in the plurality of slots. Each of the slots includes a holding part formed between a first outside diameter surface and a first inside diameter surface to hold each of the permanent magnets, and an opening part formed at both sides of the holding part and formed by a second outside diameter surface, a second inside diameter surface and a connecting surface connecting them. The second outside diameter surface is formed to a curved shape so that a distance to an outer circumferential surface of the rotor core in the diametrical direction gradually becomes smaller from both ends of the second outside diameter surface to an intermediate part in the circumferential direction.
US09531209B2 Shielded package assemblies with integrated capacitor
Package assemblies including a die stack and related methods of use. The package assembly includes a substrate with a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface bordering a through-hole extending from the first surface to the second surface. The assembly further includes a die stack, a conductive layer, and a lid. The die stack includes a chip positioned inside the through-hole in the substrate. A section of the conductive layer is disposed on the third surface of the substrate. A portion of the lid is disposed between the first chip and the section of the conductive layer. The conductive layer is configured to be coupled with power, and the lid is configured to be coupled with ground. The portion of the lid may act as a first plate of a capacitor, and the section of the conductive layer may act as a second plate of the capacitor.
US09531207B2 Holster for supporting and charging the wireless headset of handheld devices
A holster for use with a handheld device and a peripheral device is disclosed herein. The holster provides a mating structure for holding a peripheral device so that a mobile device charges the peripheral device. The holster removes the inconvenience of having to charge a peripheral off a battery charger at work or home by permitting the peripheral to charge off the handheld device. The holster can be used with any handheld device and peripheral device, such as a cellular phone and a wireless headset.
US09531201B2 Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof
A mobile terminal including a battery; a wireless communication unit configured to provide wireless communication; a memory configured to store at least one user battery charging pattern previously used for charging the battery; and a controller configured to start a charging of the battery, estimate a battery charging stop time based on the stored user battery charging pattern, and control the charging speed of the battery to complete charging of the battery before the estimated battery charging stop time.
US09531200B2 Battery conditioning apparatus
The present invention relates to a battery conditioning apparatus for conditioning a battery. The apparatus includes a pulse generator circuit for generating pulses to be applied to the battery. A loading circuit is provided for loading the battery. The apparatus also includes a controller for controlling the pulse generator circuit and loading circuit to concurrently apply the pulses to and load the battery.
US09531194B2 Systems and methods for zero-delay wakeup for power gated asynchronous pipelines
A device including a pipeline having a number of groups of pipeline stages. Each group has at least one pipeline stage, a gated power supply power net or a gated ground power net, the gated power supply power net and the gated ground power net having components that allow gating power supply and ground to that group of pipeline stages. The device also has a number of control components, each control component controlling the gating of power supply or ground. Each group of pipeline stages controls the gating of power supply and ground of a subsequent group of pipeline stages. Each one group of pipeline stages being selected such that a forward propagation delay from a preceding group of pipeline stages to that one group is at least equal to a time required for activating gated power supply or ground in that one group. Methods of implementation are also discussed.
US09531192B2 Power providing apparatus for use with multiple electricity sources
A power providing apparatus includes a first input port for connection to a first electricity source, a second input port for connection to a second electricity source, an output port, a first current control component connected between the first input port and the output port, and a second current control component connected between the second input port and the output port. Based on voltages associated with the first electricity source and the second electricity source, each of the first and the second current control components makes or breaks a current path from a respective one of the first and second input ports to the output port.
US09531187B2 Overvoltage protection device
An overvoltage protection device capable of protecting a power supply line and including in parallel a break-over diode, a controlled switch, and a circuit for controlling the switch.
US09531182B2 Energizing system and method
An energizing system for energizing an electric power transmission cable (60) is provided. The electric power transmission cable (60) has an input side (65) coupled to an electric power source (61) and an output side (66) coupled to a load (621). The energizing system includes a first switch (10) connected between the power source (61) and the input side (65) of the power transmission cable (60) to connect and disconnect the power source (61) from the power transmission cable (60). A reactive power compensation unit (50) is further provided for compensating reactive power generated by at least one of the power transmission cable (60) or the load (62). A second switch and a third switch are provided for connecting the reactive power compensation unit (50) in parallel to the first switch (10) or the load (62).
US09531179B1 Stringer wheel and cable guide apparatus
A cable guide apparatus includes a wheel assembly having a hub and a plurality of spokes extending radially outwardly from the hub, the wheel assembly having a rim coupled to distal ends of the plurality of spokes that equally displace the rim from the hub and rotatably coupled to the hub. The rim includes an outer face defining a groove configured to receive the conductor cable in a nested arrangement as the cable is strung and tensioned. The cable guide apparatus includes a guide assembly having a framework operatively coupled to the hub of the wheel assembly, the guide assembly having a pair of roller members rotatably coupled to the framework. Each roller member has an elongate and generally cylindrical configuration situated adjacent the groove of the outer face of the rim and configured to maintain the conductor cable in the groove.
US09531175B2 Method and apparatus for an electrical box block bracket
An electrical box block bracket can include a face place and rotatable members extending from each of two opposing edges of the face plate. The face plate can also include a aperture providing a passageway through the face plate and sized and shaped to receive a mud ring and/or electrical junction box. Each rotatable member can be rotatable about an axis defined by the intersection between the face plate and the respective rotatable member. Each rotatable member can also include an adjustable tab disposed along the surface of the rotatable member. The adjustable tab can rotate from a first position aligned with the surface of the rotatable member to a second position at an angle to the surface of the rotatable member such that the tab can be folded over at least a portion of an outer wall or rib of a construction block.
US09531173B2 Wire harness and method of maintaining shape thereof
A wire harness includes a conduction path, and a flexible sheathing member through which the conduction path passes and which has recessed sections and protruded sections. The recessed sections and the protruded sections extend in a circumferential direction on the surface of the sheathing member and are formed alternately along a longitudinal direction of the sheathing member. A curing-type adhesive or resin containing the adhesive is supplied to the recessed sections of a bent part which is formed when the wire harness is bent, and cured while the bent part is maintained in a bent shape.
US09531168B2 Arc resistant electrical enclosure
Electrical enclosures are provided that include arc resistant features designed to add structural strength for arc containment, to inhibit arc propagation, and/or to direct the release of pressure within and/or from the enclosure in order to provide arc resistant electrical enclosures. In general, the arc resistant features may be designed to provide enclosures where in the event of an arc fault, the doors and covers remain closed, parts are not ejected from the enclosure, holes are not produced in the enclosure, indicators located in close proximity to the enclosure do not ignite, and/or grounding connections remain effective. Further, the foregoing features may be designed to provide electrical enclosures that comply with industry guides and standards for arc resistant ratings.
US09531164B2 Optical device structure using GaN substrates for laser applications
An optical device includes a gallium nitride substrate member having an m-plane nonpolar crystalline surface region characterized by an orientation of about −2 degrees to about 2 degrees towards (000-1) and less than about 0.5 degrees towards (11-20). The device also has a laser stripe region formed overlying a portion of the m-plane nonpolar crystalline orientation surface region. A first cleaved c-face facet is provided on one end of the laser stripe region, and a second cleaved c-face facet is provided on the other end of the laser stripe region.
US09531160B2 Two-dimensional photonic crystal surface-emitting laser
A two-dimensional photonic crystal surface emitting laser has a laminated structure including: a two-dimensional photonic crystal (2DPC) layer in which refractive index distribution is formed by two-dimensionally arranging air holes in a plate-shaped base member; and an active layer for generating light with wavelength λL by receiving an injection of electric current. The two-dimensional photonic crystal surface emitting laser emits a laser beam in the direction of an inclination angle θ from normal to the 2DPC layer.
US09531158B2 Laser light source
A laser light source, comprising a semiconductor layer sequence on a substrate and having an active region and a radiation coupling out area having first and second partial regions and a filter structure. The active region generates coherent first electromagnetic radiation and incoherent second electromagnetic radiation, the coherent first electromagnetic radiation is emitted by the first partial region along an emission direction, the incoherent second electromagnetic radiation is emitted by the first partial region and by the second partial region. The filter structure at least partly attenuates the incoherent second electromagnetic radiation emitted by the active region along the emission direction. The filter structure has at least one filter element arranged on an area of the semiconductor layer sequence which has an extension direction parallel to the emission direction and which is remote from the substrate.
US09531156B2 Endoscopic light source
A light source assembly includes multiple light emitters having output that are focused and mixed onto a optical fiber leading to an endoscope or other device. The emitters can be LEDs or solid state lasers that emit different colors. A driver circuit controls the relative output intensities of the light emitters so as to produce a desired light spectrum. A driver circuit includes a buck topology connected to a controller that provides current mode control. Pulse width modulation of the buck current is provided by a semiconductor switch across a solid state laser. A second order filter, formed by the an external inductor and the output capacitance of the buck topology, minimizes AC current ripple to the laser.
US09531152B2 Waveguide laser
A laser includes a wavelength selecting element 14 that selectively reflects laser beams with wavelengths λ=λ0, λ1, λ2, . . . , λn (n≧1) of different laser oscillation modes from among fundamental oscillation wavelengths of laser beams passing through a wavelength conversion element 13, and the wavelength conversion element 13 that converts the laser beams with the wavelengths λ=λ0, λ1, λ2, . . . , λn (n≧1) of different laser oscillation modes reflected by the wavelength selecting element 14 to harmonics. When using a material with a wide gain band as a laser medium 121 of a solid-state laser element 12, a waveguide laser is implemented capable of carrying out high-efficiency wavelength conversion at a plurality of wavelengths within the gain band.
US09531145B2 Branched electrical system
A branched electrical system is adapted for providing multiple users with access to high and/or low voltage electrical power in work areas or high density seating areas, such as stadium or theater seating, work rooms, lecture halls, and public transportation vehicles. The system includes a main line and a plurality of branch lines, each branch line having at least one high voltage or low voltage electrical receptacle that is accessible to a user located at the seating, such as for powering a portable electronic device. The branch lines may be coupled to the main line via a splice or other electrical-mechanical connection.
US09531143B2 RJ45 socket connector having a conductive terminal for preventing yield due to mistaken insertion
An RJ45 socket connector includes an insulative housing having a receiving chamber; and a plurality of conductive terminals held in the insulative housing, the conductive terminal having an elastic contact section oblique upwardly and backwardly extending along an insertion direction. The elastic contact section has a first part extending oblique upwardly, a second part downwardly and backwardly bent from the first part, and a third part upwardly extending from the second part. A connecting portion between the first part and the second part is adapted to contact mating contacts of an inserted RJ45 plug, and the connecting portion is adapted to resist a lower insulative body surface of a mistakenly inserted RJ11 plug.
US09531140B2 Coaxial protective device
A protective device for transmitting electromagnetic signals includes an inner conductor that extends coaxially within an outer conductor. To compensate for dimensional tolerances without compromising performance, inner conductor is constructed to include a center pin with a conical end, a plunger pin slidably disposed within an axial bore in the center pin, the plunger pin including a conical end located outside the center pin, and a resilient, expandable, conductive band coaxially mounted onto the conical ends of the center and plunger pins. A gas discharge tube is conductively coupled between the inner and outer conductors to discharge transient voltages transmitted along the inner conductor. To minimize disturbance to the transmission line, the width of the gas discharge tube in the region of contact with the inner conductor is preferably equal to the diameter of the inner conductor. Additionally, the gas discharge tube is preferably greater in length than in width.
US09531136B2 Keystone jack for use in a computing network
Provided is a keystone jack for use as a port in a wired computing network. The keystone jack includes a housing, a plug receptacle within the housing configured to receive a plug connector therein, a termination portion of the housing for connecting a network cable thereto, a first circuit disposed between the plug receptacle and the termination portion, a plurality of conductive terminals disposed within the plug receptacle and configured for defining together with the first circuit and the termination portion a communication channel for electrically communicating between the plug receptacle and the termination portion, and an interfacing unit being in electric communication with the first circuit and configured for interfacing with a detachably attachable supplementary electric unit to provide electrical communication thereof with said at least a portion of the communication channel.
US09531121B1 Electrical connector system
An electrical connector system includes a connector and a header. The header includes a substantially T-shaped member having a proximal portion substantially rectangular in shape having a first width and a distal portion substantially rectangular in shape having a second width greater than the first width. A first and a second end portion of the distal portions are substantially T-shaped viewed end on. The first and the second end portions include a plurality of guides and shoulders. The connector includes a substantially rectangular member having a proximal portion having a first thickness and a distal portion having a second thickness less than the first thickness on a bottom side of the substantially rectangular member. The proximal portion includes first and second proximal feet and first and second distal feet. Each foot includes a foot retention shoulder and one or more guides.
US09531110B2 Collective connecting structure, guide frame, circuit body holding state guide frame, and collective connecting method
A guide frame is used to collectively connect circuit body side connectors to device side connectors. The guide frame includes circuit body holding parts for holding a circuit body and connector pressing parts that abut on the circuit body side connectors. Each of the circuit body holding parts includes a circuit body placement surface and a projection projecting from the circuit body placement surface. Each of the connector pressing parts includes an elastic part having elasticity in a connector connection direction and a pressing side abutting part.
US09531102B2 Electrical power connector and a terminal assembly
An electrical power connector and a terminal assembly are disclosed. The electrical power connector includes a base and a terminal assembly. The terminal assembly includes two conductive terminals, two reinforcing terminals and at least one detection terminal. L-shaped pressing portions of the two reinforcing terminals together clamp arc protruding parts of the two conductive terminals. Meanwhile, the detection terminal can detect an insertion state of a butt connector to timely determine forming a power loop circuit. The terminal assembly of the present invention has characteristics of high electrical conductivity, high elasticity and high security.
US09531096B2 Multiple-piece FPC connector
A multiple-piece FPC connector disposes an insulation seat and a cover separately to constitute a multiple-piece structure, and buries entirety or part of an electric conduction terminal set into an insert molding mold of the connector insulation seat prior to the insert molding for the connector insulation seat to perform joining of the connector insulation seat and the electric conduction terminal set, such that fixation for the electric conduction terminal set is achieved without plug equipment. Thereby, complexity of making the FPC connector is reduced, and the issues of electric conduction terminal dropping and residual stress of insulation seat are solved.
US09531093B2 Electrical connection arrangement
An electrical connection arrangement is provided between at least one flat conductor or conductor portion and a cable, the flat conductor or conductor portion leading to a pane, and electric or electronic components situated there, and the cable being an integral part of an external connection. The flat conductor or conductor portion is formed on a carrier film, and has an encapsulation as a plastic injection overmolding in the area of the electric contacting point of cable and flat conductor or conductor portion. An adhesion-promoting, heat-activated adhesive film is applied in the area of the carrier film while leaving the space for the electrical contacting point, yet surrounding or two-dimensionally delimiting same.
US09531080B2 Phase conversion device for electromagnetic wave
A phase conversion device, which converts an electromagnetic wave into a right-handed circularly polarized wave and a left-handed circularly polarized wave to attenuate electric and magnetic effects, includes first, second, and third layers. The first layer includes a ½ lambda wavelength plate. The second layer includes a ¼ lambda wavelength plate. The third layer includes a ½ lambda wavelength plate. The device is effective to reduce an influence of the electromagnetic wave on an electric field and a magnetic field. The device may be portable and useable to reduce an influence of electromagnetic waves on a human body.
US09531076B2 Electrically tunable miniature antenna
Described herein are architectures, platforms and methods for electrically tuning radiators in a portable device.
US09531064B2 Antenna assembly with attachment fittings and associated methods
An antenna assembly is for a fuselage of an aircraft and includes a satellite antenna, a radome covering the satellite antenna, and attachment fittings for coupling to the fuselage of the aircraft. The attachment fittings include fore, aft and side attachment fittings. The fore attachment fittings react to vertical, lateral and longitudinal loads. The aft attachment fittings react to vertical and lateral loads and permit longitudinal displacement. Left side and right side attachment fittings react to vertical loads and permit lateral and longitudinal displacement. A fairing mounts the radome to the attachment fittings.
US09531060B2 Electronic device
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing, a first antenna, a second antenna, a distributor and a communication module. The first antenna is in a first region of the housing. The second antenna is in a second region of the housing. The distributor is configured to distribute a same signal to the first antenna and the second antenna. The communication module is configured to perform communication by using the first antenna when an antenna of an external device approaches the first region and to perform communication by using the second antenna when the antenna of the external device approaches the second region.
US09531056B2 Patch antenna and wireless communication device using the same
A patch antenna includes an irradiation plate, a grounding point and a feeding point. The irradiation plate has a long edge. The grounding point is located at the long edge. The feeding point is located at the long edge. The grounding point and the feeding point are symmetrical with respect to a center of the long edge.
US09531050B2 Ferrite circulator with asymmetric dielectric spacers
A circulator for a waveguide is provided. The circulator comprises a waveguide housing including a central cavity, and a ferrite element disposed in the central cavity of the waveguide housing, with the ferrite element including a first surface and an opposing second surface. The circulator also comprises a pair of asymmetric dielectric spacers including a first dielectric spacer located on the first surface of the ferrite element, and a second dielectric spacer located on the second surface of the ferrite element.
US09531048B2 Mode filter
A mode filter provides a low-loss transmission path for RF signals propagating in a first mode, while substantially suppressing at least one second mode. The mode filter includes a proximal port and a distal port, having a respective characteristic cross sectional dimension Dp1 and Dp2, and an electrically conductive hollow tube having a longitudinal axis that extends a length L between a distal end of the proximal port and a proximal end of the distal port. A cross section transverse to the longitudinal axis is non-uniform along length L and has a minimum internal characteristic dimension Dmin at least at a first longitudinal position and a maximum internal characteristic dimension Dmax at least at a second longitudinal position. The mode filter is configured to suppress the at least one second mode by at least 5 dB, and Dmax is less than 2.5 times the greater of Dp1 and Dp2.
US09531047B2 Metal/oxygen battery with growth promoting structure
In one embodiment, an electrochemical cell includes a negative electrode, a porous separator adjacent to the negative electrode, and a positive electrode separated from the negative electrode by the porous separator, the positive electrode including a conductive matrix and a plurality of insulator particles extending from the conductive matrix.
US09531036B2 Garnet-type ion conducting oxide, complex, lithium secondary battery, manufacturing method of garnet-type ion conducting oxide and manufacturing method of complex
An all-solid lithium secondary battery 20 includes a solid electrolyte layer 10 composed of a garnet-type oxide, a positive electrode 12 formed on one surface of the solid electrolyte layer 10 and a negative electrode 14 formed on the other surface of the solid electrolyte layer 10. This all-solid lithium secondary battery 20 includes an integrally sintered complex of the solid electrolyte layer 10 and the positive electrode active material layer 12a. This complex is obtained by integrally sintering a stacked structure of an active material layer and a solid electrolyte layer. The solid electrolyte layer includes: abase material mainly including a fundamental composition of Li7+X−Y(La3−x,Ax) (Zr2−Y,TY)O12, wherein A is one or more of Sr and Ca, T is one or more of Nb and Ta, and 0≦X≦1.0 and 0≦Y<0.75 are satisfied, as a main component; and an additive component including lithium borate and aluminum oxide.
US09531033B2 Lithium secondary battery and manufacturing method therefor
A lithium secondary battery (10) provided by the present invention includes a current interruption mechanism (40) operated by a rise in internal pressure. A positive electrode (32) of this battery (10) has a positive electrode mixture layer containing lithium carbonate, a conductive material and a positive electrode active material consisting primarily of a lithium-transition metal oxide. The lithium carbonate is disposed on the surface of the conductive material. Such a positive electrode mixture layer can preferably be fabricated using a positive electrode mixture composition containing a positive electrode active material and a composite conductive material comprising lithium carbonate retained on the surface of a conductive material.
US09531030B2 Fuel cell
Relays and the like are arranged so that any restriction is not imposed on a portion where a fastening member between end plates or the like is disposed. To realize this, a relay assembly is provided in a stack case. In this case, when the relay assembly is integrated with a service plug, cables between relays and the service plug can preferably be omitted. Moreover, the relay assembly includes a resin plate to which the relays and the service plug are attached, and these relays are electrically connected to the service plug via buses on the resin plate.
US09531029B2 Planar solid oxide fuel cell stack and its interconnect thereof
A planar solid oxide fuel cell stack which can expand in both the vertical and horizontal directions is disclosed. The planar solid oxide fuel cell stack comprises an interconnect which consists of an interconnect body, a first flowing area and a second flowing area, wherein the first and the second flowing area are disposed on opposite side of the interconnect body, and have one gas inlet and two gas outlets, respectively. By employing multiple hexagonal interconnects for cell stack expanding in the horizontal direction, each three stacks can share the same pipeline of the flow channel, thereby reaching the goals of reducing the space and materials required and system complexity as well.
US09531025B2 Membrane-electrode assembly, manufacture method thereof, and solid polymer fuel cell
A membrane-electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane (1), a pair of catalyst layers (3, 3) facing each other sandwiching the electrolyte membrane (1), and a pair of gas diffusion layers facing each other sandwiching the electrolyte membrane (1) and the pair of catalyst layers (3, 3), wherein at least one of the pair of catalyst layers (3, 3) includes unwoven cloth (6A) including fiber-like structures (6) each having proton conduction performance, and wherein a portion of the unwoven cloth is buried in the electrolyte membrane (1) adjacent to the catalyst layer (3) including the unwoven cloth (6A).
US09531017B2 Method of operating a fuel cell
The present invention relates to a method of determining the net water drag coefficient (rd) in a fuel cell. By measuring the velocity of the fluid stream at the outlet of the anode, rd can be determined. Real time monitoring and adjustments of the water balance of a fuel cell may be therefore achieved.
US09531016B2 Fuel cell including separator comprising bypass limiting section
A power generation unit of a fuel cell includes a first metal separator, a first membrane electrode assembly, a second metal separator, a second membrane electrode assembly, and a third metal separator. A bypass limiting section is provided at an end of the coolant flow field for preventing a coolant from bypassing the coolant flow field. The bypass limiting section includes a corrugated section formed integrally with the first metal separator and a corrugated section formed integrally with the third metal separator adjacent to the first metal separator, and contacting the corrugated section.
US09531010B2 Paper-based lithium-ion batteries
A flexible paper based battery system with a first a least partially electrically conductive nanomaterial infused paper sheet combined with a first lithium metal oxide electrode sheet disposed in an interference fit between the first infused paper sheet and a dielectric sheet, and a second at least partially electrically conductive nanomaterial infused paper sheet combined with a second lithium metal oxide electrode sheet disposed in an interference fit between the second infused paper sheet and the dielectric sheet. Where the first lithium metal oxide electrode sheet and the second lithium metal oxide sheet are different compositions.
US09531008B2 Positive electrode for a lithium battery and lithium battery employing the same
The present invention relates to a lithium battery positive electrode comprising an active substance that can occlude and release lithium ion, a carbon-based conductivity enhancer, and a binder, characterized in that the positive electrode contains the carbon-based conductivity enhancer in an amount of 0.1 to 2 mass % on the basis of the entire mass of the positive electrode, and that the carbon-based conductivity enhancer contains a carbon fiber having a mean fiber diameter of 1 to 200 nm, wherein the active substance that can occlude and release lithium ion is contained in an amount, as calculated from the true density of the active substance, of 70% by volume or more on the basis of the total volume of the positive electrode; and relates to a lithium battery using the a lithium battery positive electrode.The positive electrode obtained by the present invention has an excellent electrolyte permeability and electrolyte retention. Therefore, it is better adapted to high-density lithium battery.
US09531003B2 Sodium iron(II)-hexacyanoferrate(II) battery electrode
A method is provided for synthesizing sodium iron(II)-hexacyanoferrate(II). A Fe(CN)6 material is mixed with the first solution and either an anti-oxidant or a reducing agent. The Fe(CN)6 material may be either ferrocyanide ([Fe(CN)6]4−) or ferricyanide ([Fe(CN)6]3−). As a result, sodium iron(II)-hexacyanoferrate(II) (Na1+XFe[Fe(CN)6]Z.MH2O is formed, where X is less than or equal to 1, and where M is in a range between 0 and 7. In one aspect, the first solution including includes A ions, such as alkali metal ions, alkaline earth metal ions, or combinations thereof, resulting in the formation of Na1+XAYFe[Fe(CN)6]Z.MH2O, where Y is less than or equal to 1. Also provided are a Na1+XFe[Fe(CN)6]Z.MH2O battery and Na1+XFe[Fe(CN)6]Z.MH2O battery electrode.
US09530999B2 Secondary battery module
A secondary battery module includes a plurality of secondary batteries each including an electrode assembly, a case accommodating the electrode assembly, and electrode terminals electrically connected to the electrode assembly and extending outward from the case, and a bus bar that electrically connects neighboring electrode terminals of the plurality of secondary batteries. The bus bar includes a first part including penetration holes through which the electrode terminals penetrate such that the bus bar is fastenable to the electrode terminals and a second part extending from the first part, the second part being bent to face the first part.
US09530997B2 Partition including buffering pad disposed on frame for pouch type secondary battery
A pouch type secondary battery includes a pouch having a receiving part receiving an electrolyte therein and a sealing part formed by sealing an outer circumference of the receiving part in order to seal the receiving part and an electrode tab connected to one side of the pouch so as to be protruded, and at least one partition provided between at least two pouch type secondary batteries. The partition comprises: an electrode tab supporting part supporting the electrode tab; a frame extended from the electrode tab supporting part, supporting the sealing part, and having the receiving part inserted thereinto; and a buffering pad attached to an inner side of the frame at which the receiving part is seated so as to be disposed between the frame and the receiving part. The buffering pad has a cross-sectional shape in which one side of a rectangular frame is opened.
US09530994B2 Heat exchanger for temperature control of vehicle batteries
The invention relates to a heat exchanger for temperature controlling and fastening of battery units of the battery of a vehicle. The heat exchanger includes flat tubes that are passable by a heat carrier and a collecting tube and distributing tube for conducting the heat carrier. The flat tubes are established as multi-channel flat tubes. The collecting tube and the distributing tube are connected to each other over the flat tubes so that a holding frame is established that provides a structure forming spaces. The spaces are provided as chambers for accommodating the battery units.
US09530992B2 Battery pack
A battery pack comprises: a battery holding member provided to have battery holding holes and configured to bind a plurality of batteries; a first bus bar arranged to electrically connect with terminals on the first side of the respective batteries; a second bus bar arranged to electrically connect with terminals on a second side in the axial direction of the respective batteries; a bus bar holding member configured to hold the second bus bar and constitute a wall surface on the second side of the casing; and a sealing sheet member configured to have a plurality of terminal exposing holes formed corresponding to the respective batteries and cause peripheries of the respective terminal exposing holes to come into contact with the end faces of the respective batteries, so as to prevent leakage of a gas from inside of the casing toward the second bus bar. The sealing sheet member has a deformation dividing part provided around at least part of the plurality of terminal exposing holes.
US09530989B2 Organic light emitting diode display and manufacturing method thereof
Disclosed are an organic light emitting diode display and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly, an organic light emitting diode display capable of minimizing resistance increase of a second electrode and improving light extraction efficiency at the same time by forming a separate reflector, and a manufacturing method thereof.
US09530988B2 Electrostatic chuck system and method of manufacturing organic light-emitting display apparatus by using the electrostatic chuck system
Provided are an electrostatic chuck system and a method of manufacturing an organic light-emitting display apparatus by using the electrostatic chuck system. The electrostatic chuck system comprises: a stage in which a first electrode and a second electrode are arranged, the first electrode having a first polarity and the second electrode having a second polarity that is different from the first polarity; a display substrate on the stage, the display substrate including a pixel electrode on a surface thereof; and an optical mask over the surface of the display substrate, the optical mask including a reflection layer and a transfer layer to be transferred to the display substrate, wherein the display substrate has one of the first and second polarities, and the optical mask has the other of the first and second polarities as the display substrate.
US09530983B2 Sintering method and display device packaging method using the same
A sintering method includes defining a closed pattern having at least one arcuate section. A substance is applied on a substrate along the closed pattern and is sintered along the closed pattern in a first rectilinear direction. The sintering is finished in a second rectilinear direction along the closed pattern. A display device packaging method includes defining a closed pattern having at least one arcuate section. Frit is applied on a substrate of a display device along the closed pattern. A cover plate is provided on the substrate. The frit is sintered along the closed pattern. The sintering is finished in a second rectilinear direction. Then, the cover plate and the substrate of the display device are packaged.
US09530979B2 Substrate for organic electronic device
The present application relates to a substrate for an organic electronic device (OED), an organic electronic device, a method of manufacturing the substrate or OED and lighting device. The substrate for an OED of the present application may be improved in durability by preventing penetration of external materials such as moisture or oxygen, and thus an OED having excellent light extraction efficiency may be formed. Also, since the substrate may be stably attached to an encapsulating structure sealing the OED, the device may have excellent durability with respect to abrasion of an electrode layer or pressure applied from an external environment. In addition, a surface hardness of an external terminal of the OED may be maintained at a suitable level.
US09530977B2 Tunneling nanotube field effect transistor and manufacturing method thereof
A tunneling nanotube field effect transistor includes: an insulating layer disposed on a substrate; a gate electrode disposed on the insulating layer; a source electrode and a drain electrode disposed on the insulating layer on respective adjacent sides of the gate electrode; and a carbon nanotube extending through the gate electrode, wherein the carbon nanotube is supported by the source electrode, the gate electrode, and the drain electrode, wherein the carbon nanotube includes a first portion adjacent to the source electrode and a second portion adjacent to the drain electrode, and wherein the source electrode and the gate electrode are spaced apart by an exposed section of the first portion, and the drain electrode and the gate electrode are spaced apart by an exposed section of the second portion.
US09530974B2 Copper complexes for optoelectronic applications
The invention relates to an optoelectronic component having a copper(I) complex of the formula: wherein X is independently selected from Cl, Br and I; N*∩E or E∩N* is a bidentate ligand connected to a first Cu atom via an N atom and connected to a second Cu atom via an E group, or a monodentate ligand connected to a Cu atom via an E group, wherein E is R2As or R2P, wherein R is selected from alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, and phenoxy; N* is a part of an aromatic group comprising an imine functional group, wherein the aromatic group is selected from pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyridazinyl, triazinyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, and fused N-heteroaromatics, and wherein the imine functional group comprises the N atom double bonded to a carbon atom of the aromatic group; and ∩ is a carbon atom, which is likewise part of the aromatic group, connected to the N atom of said aromatic group and also connected to the E group via the As or P atom of the E group.
US09530961B2 Mask assembly for deposition, deposition apparatus, and method employing the same
Disclosed is a mask assembly for deposition including: a frame having an opening; a mask having at least one pattern part formed in a second direction that is different from a first direction, wherein at least a portion of the mask is supported by the frame and the at least one pattern part has one or more slits continuously formed in the first direction; and at least one support stick extending in the second direction across the opening so as to support at least a portion of the mask.
US09530945B2 Integrated circuit device
An integrally packaged optronic integrated circuit device including an integrated circuit die containing at least one of a radiation emitter and radiation receiver and having a transparent packaging layer overlying a surface of the die, the transparent packaging layer having an opaque coating adjacent to edges of the layer.
US09530943B2 LED emitter packages with high CRI
A color-tunable LED emitter with high CRI can be made by mounting multiple LED chips onto a ceramic substrate that has been patterned with metal contacts and paths so as to connect the LED chips into multiple independently addressable LED groups. Each LED group can produce light of a different color, allowing the color of the emitter to be tuned by adjusting the relative amount of operating current supplied to each LED group. At least some of the LED groups include LEDs coated with a broad spectrum phosphor that can reduce the sharpness of spectral peaks, thereby improving CRI and particular components of CRI, such as R9.
US09530937B2 Light-emitting device, light-emitting device package, and light unit
A light-emitting device, according to one embodiment, comprises: a light-emitting structure comprising a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer which is underneath the first conductive semiconductor layer, and a second conductive semiconductor layer which is underneath the active layer; a reflective electrode which is arranged under the light-emitting structure; a first metal layer which is arranged under the reflective electrode and is electrically connected to the second conductive semiconductor layer; a second metal layer which is arranged under the reflective electrode and is insulated from the first metal layer; and a contact portion for electrically connecting the second metal layer and the first conductive semiconductor layer.
US09530932B2 Nitride semiconductor light-emitting device and method for producing the same
A nitride semiconductor light-emitting device has a first conductive-type nitride semiconductor layer, a superlattice layer provided on the first conductive-type nitride semiconductor layer, an active layer provided on the superlattice layer, and a second conductive-type nitride semiconductor layer provided on the active layer. An average carrier concentration of the superlattice layer is higher than an average carrier concentration of the active layer.
US09530925B2 Conductive composition and method for making conductive features on thin film PV cells
A method for forming a conductive feature. The method includes providing a substrate and a conductive composition. The conductive composition includes metal particles, a fluxing agent and a liquid monomer. The method further includes heating the composition to a temperature from about 200 to about 300° C. to fuse metal particles, crosslink the liquid monomer, and form a conductive feature.
US09530912B2 Three-dimensional patterning methods and related devices
Three-dimensional patterning methods of a three-dimensional microstructure, such as a semiconductor wire array, are described, in conjunction with etching and/or deposition steps to pattern the three-dimensional microstructure.
US09530903B2 Solar cell manufacturing method, solar cell module manufacturing method, and solar cell module
This solar cell module (10) is manufactured by connecting in series with a wiring material (15) multiple solar cells including at least two types of solar cells (11A, 11B) having different electrode structures, and covering the same with a first protective member (12) and a second protective member (13). This solar cell is manufactured by producing a photoelectric conversion unit, measuring characteristic values of the photoelectric conversion unit, selecting electrode structure on the basis of said characteristic values, and forming an electrode on the photoelectric conversion unit.
US09530900B1 Schottky diode and method for manufacturing the same
A Schottky diode is provided, which includes a well of a first conductive type and a lightly doped region of a second conductive type on the well, wherein the first conductive type is opposite to the second conductive type. The Schottky diode includes a heavily doped region of the second conductive type on the well, and a gate structure on a part of the lightly doped region. The gate structure includes a gate electrode and a gate dielectric layer. The lightly doped region not covered by the gate structure and the heavily doped region are disposed at two opposite sides of the gate structure, respectively. The Schottky diode includes a first contact electrically connecting the heavily doped region and a first electrode, a second contact electrically connecting the gate electrode and a second electrode, and a third contact electrically connecting the lightly doped region and the second electrode.
US09530899B2 Semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes insulation layers and gate electrodes alternately stacked on a substrate, a vertical channel vertically passing through the insulation layers and the gate electrodes, and a threshold voltage controlling insulation layer, a tunnel insulation layer and a charge storage layer disposed between the vertical channel and the gate electrodes, wherein the threshold voltage controlling insulation layer is disposed between the charge storage layer and the vertical channel and including a material configured to suppress an inversion layer from being formed in the vertical channel.
US09530895B2 Semiconductor device
To suppress a decrease in on-state current in a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor. A semiconductor device includes an insulating film containing silicon, an oxide semiconductor film over the insulating film, a gate insulating film containing silicon over the oxide semiconductor film, a gate electrode which is over the gate insulating film and overlaps with at least the oxide semiconductor film, and a source electrode and a drain electrode which are electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor film. In the semiconductor device, the oxide semiconductor film which overlaps with at least the gate electrode includes a region in which a concentration of silicon distributed from an interface with the insulating film is lower than or equal to 1.1 at. %. In addition, a concentration of silicon contained in a remaining portion of the oxide semiconductor film except the region is lower than the concentration of silicon contained in the region.
US09530894B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor in which on-state current is high is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first transistor provided in a driver circuit portion and a second transistor provided in a pixel portion; the first transistor and the second transistor have different structures. Furthermore, the first transistor and the second transistor are transistors having a top-gate structure. In an oxide semiconductor film of each of the transistors, an impurity element is contained in regions which do not overlap with a gate electrode. The regions of the oxide semiconductor film which contain the impurity element function as low-resistance regions. Furthermore, the regions of the oxide semiconductor film which contain the impurity element are in contact with a film containing hydrogen. The first transistor provided in the driver circuit portion includes two gate electrodes between which the oxide semiconductor film is provided.
US09530880B2 DMOS transistor with trench schottky diode
A DMOS transistor integrates a trench Schottky diode into the body contact of the transistor where the body region surrounding the Schottky metal layer forms a guard ring for the Schottky diode.
US09530872B2 Semiconductor element and method for manufacturing the same
An object is to provide a thin film transistor and a method for manufacturing the thin film transistor including an oxide semiconductor with a controlled threshold voltage, high operation speed, a relatively easy manufacturing process, and sufficient reliability. An impurity having influence on carrier concentration in the oxide semiconductor layer, such as a hydrogen atom or a compound containing a hydrogen atom such as H2O, may be eliminated. An oxide insulating layer containing a large number of defects such as dangling bonds may be formed in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer, such that the impurity diffuses into the oxide insulating layer and the impurity concentration in the oxide semiconductor layer is reduced. The oxide semiconductor layer or the oxide insulating layer in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer may be formed in a deposition chamber which is evacuated with use of a cryopump whereby the impurity concentration is reduced.
US09530869B2 Methods of forming embedded source/drain regions on finFET devices
One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming a layer of insulating material in the source/drain regions of the device, wherein the layer of insulating material has an upper surface that is substantially planar with an upper surface of a gate cap layer, recessing the layer of insulating material such that its recessed upper surface exposes a surface of the fin, performing another etching process to remove at least a portion of the fin and thereby define a recessed fin trench positioned above the recessed fin, and forming an epitaxial semiconductor material that is at least partially positioned in the recessed fin trench.
US09530856B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A novel semiconductor device with a transistor using an oxide semiconductor film, in which a conductive film including Cu is used as a wiring or the like, is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first insulating film, an oxide semiconductor over the first insulating film, a gate electrode overlapping the oxide semiconductor with a gate insulating film positioned therebetween, a second insulating film in contact with a side surface of the gate electrode, and a third insulating film in contact with a top surface of the gate electrode. The gate electrode includes a Cu—X alloy film (X is Mn, Ni, Cr, Fe, Co, Mo, Ta, Ti, Zr, Mg, Ca, or a mixture of two or more of these elements).
US09530853B2 Semiconductor device with reduced leakage current and method for making the same
A semiconductor device with reduced leakage current and a method of making the same is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate having a device layer, a dielectric layer, and a gate metal opening within the dielectric layer between a source contact and a gate contact. A first metal layer is disposed within the gate metal opening, and a second metal layer is disposed directly onto the second metal layer, wherein the second metal layer is oxidized and has a thickness that ranges from about 4 Angstroms to about 20 Angstroms to limit a leakage current of a total gate periphery to between around 0.1 μA/mm and around 50 μA/mm. A current carrying layer is disposed on the second metal layer. In one embodiment, the first metal layer is nickel (Ni), the second metal layer is palladium (Pd), and the current carrying layer is gold (Au).
US09530850B2 Semiconductor device with stripe-shaped trench gate structures and gate connector structure
A semiconductor device includes a transistor cell with a stripe-shaped trench gate structure that extends from a first surface into a semiconductor body. A gate connector structure at a distance to the first surface is electrically connected to a gate electrode in the trench gate structure. A gate dielectric separates the gate electrode from the semiconductor body. First sections of the gate dielectric outside a vertical projection of the gate connector structure are thinner than second sections within the vertical projection of the gate connector structure.
US09530845B2 Frequency multiplier based on a low dimensional semiconductor structure
A frequency multiplier based on a low dimensional semiconductor structure, including an insulating substrate layer, a semiconductor conducting layer arranged on the surface of the insulating substrate layer, an insulating protective layer arranged on the surface of the semiconductor conducting layer, an insulating carving groove penetrating the semiconductor conducting layer, an inlet electrode arranged on the side surface of the semiconductor conducting layer, and an outlet electrode arranged on the side surface corresponding to the access electrode is provided. The semiconductor conducting layer comprises two two-dimensional, quasi-one-dimensional, or one-dimensional current carrying channels near to and parallel to each other. The frequency multiplier has advantages that the structure is simple, the process is easy to implement, no extra filter circuit needs to be added, dependence on material characteristics is little, and the selection range of materials is wide.
US09530843B2 FinFET having an epitaxially grown semiconductor on the fin in the channel region
A planar semiconductor device including a semiconductor on insulator (SOI) substrate with source and drain portions having a thickness of less than 10 nm that are separated by a multi-layered strained channel. The multi-layer strained channel of the SOI layer includes a first layer with a first lattice dimension that is present on the buried dielectric layer of the SOI substrate, and a second layer of a second lattice dimension that is in direct contact with the first layer of the multi-layer strained channel portion. A functional gate structure is present on the multi-layer strained channel portion of the SOI substrate. The semiconductor device having the multi-layered channel may also be a finFET semiconductor device.
US09530842B2 Semiconductor devices
Some embodiments include a device having an n-type diffusion region, and having a boron-doped region within the n-type diffusion region. The boron-doped region extends no deeper than about 10 nanometers from an upper surface of the n-type diffusion region. Some embodiments include a method in which first boron-enhanced regions are formed within upper portions of n-type source/drain regions of an NMOS (n-type metal-oxide-semiconductor) device and second boron-enhanced regions are simultaneously formed within upper portions of p-type source/drain regions of a PMOS (p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor) device. The first and second boron-enhanced regions extend to depths of less than or equal to about 10 nanometers.
US09530831B2 Flexible display device having flexible display substrate curved around support substrate
A flexible display device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The flexible display device comprises a first flexible substrate including a display area including an organic light emitting layer, and a peripheral circuit area, and a second flexible substrate coming in contact with the first flexible substrate and including a pattern for facilitating bending thereof, wherein the second flexible substrate has a certain shape according to the pattern, and the first flexible substrate has a shape corresponding to the certain shape. Various embodiments of the present invention provide a flexible display device capable of realizing a narrow bezel-type or bezel-free display device and simultaneously realizing improved types of design, facilitating bending of a bezel area so as to realize a narrow bezel-type or bezel-free display device, and minimizing damage to an area to be bent.
US09530829B2 Display device, electronic apparatus, and method of fabricating the display device
It is an object of the invention to provide a technique to manufacture a display device with high image quality and high reliability at low cost with high yield. The invention has spacers over a pixel electrode layer in a pixel region and over an insulating layer functioning as a partition which covers the periphery of the pixel electrode layer. When forming a light emitting material over a pixel electrode layer, a mask for selective formation is supported by the spacers, thereby preventing the mask from contacting the pixel electrode layer due to a twist and deflection thereof. Accordingly, such damage as a crack by the mask does not occur in the pixel electrode layer. Thus, the pixel electrode layer does not have a defect in shapes, thereby a display device which performs a high resolution display with high reliability can be manufactured.
US09530825B2 Display panel
A display panel which can avoid RC delay is provided. The display panel comprises photosensitive transistors, data lines electrically connected with source electrodes of the photosensitive transistors, first electrodes electrically connected with drain electrodes of the photosensitive transistors, and light emitting diodes, wherein the photosensitive transistors are arranged in rows the direction of which is perpendicular to the extension direction of the data lines, and the light emitting diodes are arranged in rows, each row of light emitting diodes are arranged along the direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the data lines, and are used for simultaneously turning on all of the photosensitive transistors in a corresponding row.
US09530808B2 TFT array substrate, manufacturing method thereof, and display device
A method of manufacturing a TFT array substrate and a TFT array substrate and a display device are provided. During a pattern of a gate layer (2), a pattern of the gate insulating layer (3) and a pattern of the active layer are made, a gate layer (2) material, a gate insulating layer (3) material and an active layer material are deposited successively. The gate layer (2), the gate insulating layer (3) and the active layer are made through one patterning process. At least one mask process is saved and the process complexity is reduced.
US09530805B2 Backplane for display apparatus and method of manufacturing the backplane
A backplane for a display apparatus includes a substrate including a display area and a non-display area; a first transistor formed on the display area; and a second transistor formed on the non-display area, wherein a first active layer includes a first channel area, a first source area disposed on one side of the first channel area, a first drain area disposed on the other side of the first channel area, and a low-density doped area and a halo doped area that are adjacent to both ends of the first gate electrode, and the second active layer includes a second channel area, a second source area disposed on one side of the second channel area, and a second drain area disposed on the other side of the second channel area.
US09530799B2 Polysilicon thin film transistor and manufacturing method thereof, array substrate
A polysilicon thin film transistor, a manufacturing method thereof, an array substrate involve display technology field, and can repair the boundary defect and the defect state in polysilicon, suppress the hot carrier effect and make the characteristics of TFTs more stable. The polysilicon thin film transistor includes a gate electrode, a source electrode, a drain electrode and an active layer, the active layer comprises at least a channel area, first doped regions, second doped regions and heavily doped regions, and the first doped regions are disposed on two sides of the channel area, the second doped regions are disposed on sides of the first doped regions away from the channel area; the heavily doped regions are disposed on sides of the second doped regions opposed to the first doped regions; and dosage of ions in the heavily doped regions lies between that in the first doped regions and that in the second doped regions.
US09530796B2 Semiconductor-on-insulator integrated circuit with interconnect below the insulator
An integrated circuit assembly comprises an insulating layer, a semiconductor layer, a handle layer, a metal interconnect layer, and transistors. The insulating layer has a first surface, a second surface, and a hole extending from the first surface to the second surface. The semiconductor layer has a first surface and a second surface, the first surface of the semiconductor layer contacting the first surface of the insulating layer. The handle layer is coupled to the second surface of the semiconductor layer. The metal interconnect layer is coupled to the second surface of the insulating layer, the metal interconnect layer being disposed within the hole in the insulating layer. The transistors are located in the semiconductor layer. The hole in the insulating layer extends to at least the first surface of the semiconductor layer. The metal interconnect layer electrically couples a plurality of the transistors to each other.
US09530795B2 Methods for cell boundary encroachment and semiconductor devices implementing the same
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of cells. Each of the cells has a respective outer cell boundary defined to circumscribe the cell in an orthogonal manner. Also, each of the cells includes circuitry for performing one or more logic functions. This circuitry includes a plurality of conductive features defined in one or more levels of the cell. One or more of the conductive features in at least one level of a given cell is an encroaching feature positioned to encroach by an encroachment distance into an exclusion zone. The exclusion zone occupies an area within the cell defined by an exclusion distance extending perpendicularly inward into the given cell from a first segment of the outer cell boundary. The exclusion distance is based on a design rule distance representing a minimum separation distance required between conductive features in adjacently placed cells on the semiconductor device.
US09530793B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first pillar-shaped semiconductor layer, a first selection gate insulating film, a first selection gate, a first gate insulating film, a first contact electrode, a first bit line connected to an upper portion of the first pillar-shaped semiconductor layer and an upper portion of the first contact electrode, a second pillar-shaped semiconductor layer, a layer including a first charge storage layer, a first control gate, a layer including a second charge storage layer and formed above the first control gate, a second control gate, a second gate insulating film, a second contact electrode having an upper portion connected to an upper portion of the second pillar-shaped semiconductor layer, and a first lower internal line that connects a lower portion of the first pillar-shaped semiconductor layer and a lower portion of the second pillar-shaped semiconductor layer.
US09530787B2 Batch contacts for multiple electrically conductive layers
A stepped structure is formed on a stack of an alternating plurality of insulator layers and material layers such that at least two material layers have vertically coincident sidewalls. In one embodiment, the material layers can be electrically conductive layers, and a contact via structure can contact the vertically coincident sidewalls. In another embodiment, a sacrificial spacer can be formed on the vertically coincident sidewalls, and the material layers and the sacrificial spacer can be replaced with a conductive material. A contact via structure can be formed on a set of layers electrically shorted by a vertical conductive material portion that is formed in a volume of the spacer. The contact via structure can provide electrical contact to multiple electrically conductive layers.
US09530776B2 FinFET semiconductor device with germanium diffusion over silicon fins
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is described that comprises providing a substrate, forming a plurality of fins having a first semiconductor material, replacing a first portion of at least one of the fins with a second semiconductor material, and distributing the second semiconductor material from the first portion to a second portion of the at least one of the fins.
US09530772B1 Methods of manufacturing devices including gates with multiple lengths
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises forming a first dummy gate layer on a substrate, forming a second dummy gate layer on the substrate adjacent the first dummy gate layer, wherein the second dummy gate layer comprises a material which is capable of being selectively etched with respect a material of the first dummy gate layer, and patterning each of the first and second dummy gate layers into a plurality of first dummy gate stacks and a plurality of second dummy gate stacks, respectively, wherein the first dummy gate stacks are each wider along a gate length direction than each of the second dummy gate stacks, wherein the patterning is performed using a reactive ion etch (RIE) process that results in different lateral trimming between the first and second dummy gate layers.
US09530758B2 3D integrated circuit package with through-mold first level interconnects
3D integrated circuit packages with through-mold first level interconnects and methods to form such packages are described. For example, a semiconductor package includes a substrate. A bottom semiconductor die has an active side with a surface area. The bottom semiconductor die is coupled to the substrate with the active side distal from the substrate. A top semiconductor die has an active side with a surface area larger than the surface area of the bottom semiconductor die. The top semiconductor die is coupled to the substrate with the active side proximate to the substrate. The active side of the bottom semiconductor die is facing and conductively coupled to the active side of the top semiconductor die. The top semiconductor die is conductively coupled to the substrate by first level interconnects that bypass the bottom semiconductor die.
US09530755B2 Semiconductor packages
Provided is a semiconductor package including a substrate, a first semiconductor chip disposed on the substrate to have a rectangular shape with long and short sides, and a second semiconductor chip disposed on the first semiconductor chip to have a rectangular shape with long and short sides. Centers of the first and second semiconductor chips may be located at substantially the same position as that of the substrate, and the long side of the first semiconductor chip may be substantially parallel to a diagonal line of the substrate. Further, the long side of the second semiconductor chip may be not parallel to that of the first semiconductor chip.
US09530745B2 Electronic apparatus and method for fabricating the same
An electronic apparatus includes a first electronic part with a first terminal, a second electronic part with a second terminal opposite the first terminal, and a joining portion which joins the first terminal and the second terminal. The joining portion contains a pole-like compound extending in a direction in which the first terminal and the second terminal are opposite to each other. The joining portion contains the pole-like compound, so the strength of the joining portion is improved. When the first terminal and the second terminal are joined, the temperature of one of the first electronic part and the second electronic part is made higher than that of the other. A joining material is cooled and solidified in this state. By doing so, the pole-like compound is formed.
US09530743B2 Integrated electronic device with transceiving antenna and magnetic interconnection
An embodiment of an integrated electronic device having a body, made at least partially of semiconductor material and having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface, and a first antenna, which is integrated in the body and enables magnetic or electromagnetic coupling of the integrated electronic device with a further antenna. The integrated electronic device moreover has a coupling region made of magnetic material, which provides, in use, a communication channel between the first antenna and the further antenna.
US09530740B2 3D interconnect structure comprising through-silicon vias combined with fine pitch backside metal redistribution lines fabricated using a dual damascene type approach
A 3D interconnect structure and method of manufacture are described in which a through-silicon vias (TSVs) and metal redistribution layers (RDLs) are formed using a dual damascene type process flow. A silicon nitride or silicon carbide passivation layer may be provided between the thinned device wafer back side and the RDLs to provide a hermetic barrier and etch stop layer during the process flow.
US09530737B1 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, a dielectric layer is formed over a substrate. A first pattern and a second pattern are formed in the first interlayer dielectric layer. The first pattern has a width greater than a width of the second pattern. A first metal layer is formed in the first pattern and the second pattern. A second metal layer is formed in the first pattern. A planarization operation is performed on the first and second metal layers so that a first metal wiring by the first pattern and a second metal wiring by the second pattern are formed. A metal material of the first metal layer is different from a metal material of the second metal layer. The first metal wiring includes the first and second metal layers and the second metal wiring includes the first metal layer but does not include the second metal layer.
US09530735B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming stepped stack structures each including conductive patterns stacked in a shape of steps while exposing respective ends thereof and surrounding channel layers, the stepped stack structures being separated from one another by slits, forming first and second contact plugs connected to the ends of the conductive patterns to extend along an extending direction of the channel layers, and simultaneously forming, using a spacer patterning technology (SPT), bit lines connected to one or more of the channel layers and extending along a first direction, first connecting lines extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and contact pads extending from the first connecting lines to be connected to the first contact plugs.
US09530734B2 Enforcement of semiconductor structure regularity for localized transistors and interconnect
A global placement grating (GPG) is defined for a chip level to include a set of parallel and evenly spaced virtual lines. At least one virtual line of the GPG is positioned to intersect each contact that interfaces with the chip level. A number of subgratings are defined. Each subgrating is a set of equally spaced virtual lines of the GPG that supports a common layout shape run length thereon. The layout for the chip level is partitioned into subgrating regions. Each subgrating region has any one of the defined subgratings allocated thereto. Layout shapes placed within a given subgrating region in the chip level are placed in accordance with the subgrating allocated to the given subgrating region. Non-standard layout shape spacings at subgrating region boundaries can be mitigated by layout shape stretching, layout shape insertion, and/or subresolution shape insertion, or can be allowed to exist in the final layout.
US09530733B2 Forming layers of materials over small regions by selective chemical reaction including limiting enchroachment of the layers over adjacent regions
A method of an aspect includes forming a first thicker layer of a first material over a first region having a first surface material by separately forming each of a first plurality of thinner layers by selective chemical reaction. The method also includes limiting encroachment of each of the first plurality of thinner layers over a second region that is adjacent to the first region. A second thicker layer of a second material is formed over the second region having a second surface material that is different than the first surface material.
US09530732B1 Efficient layout placement of a diode
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of first wires and a plurality of second wires. Each of the first wires forms a closed polygon and surrounds a center. Each of the second wires is forming the closed polygon and surrounding the center. The first and second wires are interlaced, and none of the first wires and second wires are coupled to each other.
US09530727B2 Conductive line routing for multi-patterning technology
A method comprises: forming a plurality of reference voltage patterns in a first layer of a semiconductor substrate using a first mask, the reference voltage patterns including alternating first reference voltage patterns and second reference voltage patterns; and forming a plurality of signal patterns in the first layer of the semiconductor substrate using a second mask, ones of the plurality of signal patterns located between successive pairs of reference voltage patterns.
US09530719B2 Direct die solder of gallium arsenide integrated circuit dies and methods of manufacturing gallium arsenide wafers
Electronic devices, and methods of manufacturing the electronic devices, utilizing direct die soldering of GaAs integrated circuit dies. In some embodiments, the GaAs integrated circuit die can have a footprint approximately the same size as a die attach pad. Further, the GaAs integrated circuit die can self-align with the die attach pad after reflow of any solder layer used to attach the die.
US09530709B2 Methods of manufacturing a printed circuit module having a semiconductor device with a protective layer in place of a low-resistivity handle layer
A printed circuit module having a protective layer in place of a low-resistivity handle layer and methods for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The printed circuit module includes a printed circuit substrate with a thinned die attached to the printed circuit substrate. The thinned die includes at least one device layer over the printed circuit substrate and at least one deep well within the at least one device layer. A protective layer is disposed over the at least one deep well, wherein the protective layer has a thermal conductivity greater than 2 watts per meter Kelvin (W/mK) and an electrical resistivity of greater than 103 Ohm-cm.
US09530708B1 Flexible electronic circuit and method for manufacturing same
An electronic circuit comprising: an integrated circuit chip, the integrated circuit chip having a top face; portions of the top face of the chip being covered by a first metal layer electrically connected to the integrated circuit; and a dielectic layer formed on the top face of the chip beside and on top of said first metal layer; wherein the dielectric layer extends parallel to the top face of the chip beyond the edges of the chip, the first metal layer extending in the dielectric layer beyond the edges of the chip; and wherein portions of a top surface of the dielectric layer are covered by a second metal layer, portions of the first and second metal layers being electrically connected through the dielectric layer.
US09530705B2 4 port L-2L de-embedding method
Some embodiments relate to a wafer. The wafer includes a first dummy component comprising two or more first dummy component transmission lines. One of the first dummy component transmission lines operably couples a first signal test pad to a second signal test pad, and an other of the first dummy component transmission lines operably couples a third signal test pad to a fourth signal test pad. A second dummy component comprises two or more second dummy component transmission lines. One of the second dummy component transmission lines operably couples a fifth signal test pad to a sixth signal test pad, and an other of the second dummy component transmission lines operably couples a seventh signal test pad to an eighth signal test pad. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US09530697B1 Semiconductor memory device and method for manufacturing same
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, a stacked body, a semiconductor film, a memory film, an interconnect portion, and first and second insulating films. The first and second insulating films are provided on the interconnect portion. The interconnect portion includes first and second interconnect portions. The first interconnect portion is provided on the substrate. A width of a cross-section of the second interconnect portion decreases with increased distance from the substrate. The first insulating film is provided on side surfaces of the first and second interconnect portions. The second insulating film includes first to third portions. The first portion is provided on an upper surface of the interconnect portion. The first insulating film is provided between the second portion and the side surface of the second interconnect portion. The third portion extends in a second direction crossing the stacking direction and the first direction.
US09530692B2 Method of forming through wiring
Provided is a method of forming a through wiring, including forming a first insulating film on a first surface and a second surface of a substrate; forming a through hole to pass through the first insulating film formed on the first surface side and the substrate; forming a second insulating film formed from a material different from that of the first insulating film on an inner wall of the through hole; forming a conductive film on the first insulating film formed on the second surface; forming an opening in the first insulating film by processing the first insulating film formed on the second surface; and filling an inner portion of the through hole with a conductive material by electrolytic plating using the conductive film exposed at the bottom portion of the through hole as a seed layer.
US09530690B2 Metal pad structure over TSV to reduce shorting of upper metal layer
Various embodiments of mechanisms for forming a slotted metal pad over a TSV in substrate are provided. The dielectric structures in the slotted metal pad reduce dishing effect during planarization of the slotted metal pad. As a result, the risk of having metal stringers in upper metal level(s) caused by the dishing effect is greatly reduced.
US09530686B1 MOS transistor and method of manufacturing the same
A MOS transistor includes a semiconductor layer resting on an insulator and having a substantially planar upper surface. The semiconductor layer extends down to a first depth in the channel region, and down to a second depth, greater than the first depth, in the source and drain regions. In the channel region, the semiconductor layer is formed from a portion of an upper semiconductor layer of a silicon on insulator substrate. In the source and drain regions, the semiconductor layer is formed by epitaxially grown semiconductor material.
US09530680B2 Method of fabricating semiconductor package, semiconductor chip supporting carrier and chip mounting device
In fabricating semiconductor packages, a first supporting unit is supported by a supporting substrate with one surface of an adhesive sheet directed upward, the first supporting unit being constituted by attaching the adhesive sheet having an adhesive layer as the one surface thereof and a non-adhesive layer as the other surface thereof to a frame member; semiconductor chips are mounted on the one surface of the adhesive sheet; on the adhesive sheet, a resin portion containing the semiconductor chips is formed by resin-sealing the semiconductor chips; the first supporting unit is removed from the second supporting unit; the resin portion is stripped from the adhesive sheet; external connection members are formed at the semiconductor chips contained in the resin portion; and portions between the respective semiconductor chips contained in the resin portion are cut to obtain individual semiconductor packages.
US09530677B2 Substrate processing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method
A substrate processing apparatus comprises a processing chamber for storing a substrate and performing a specified processing on the substrate, a substrate holding jig for holding the substrate in the processing chamber, a placement stand capable of moving the substrate holding jig inside and outside the processing chamber while mounting the substrate holding jig, a substrate holding jig movement mechanism for moving the substrate holding jig to a location different from the placement stand while holding the substrate holding jig, and a substrate holding jig movement suppression mechanism for suppressing vertical and horizontal movement of the substrate holding jig in order to keep the substrate holding jig mounted on the placement unit of the substrate holding jig movement mechanism.
US09530670B2 Methods of forming conductive patterns and methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices using the same using an etchant composition that includes phosphoric acid, nitric acid, and an assistant oxidant
The present disclosure herein relates to methods of forming conductive patterns and to methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices using the same. In some embodiments, a method of forming a conductive pattern includes forming a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer on a substrate. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer may include a metal nitride and a metal, respectively. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer may be etched using an etchant composition that includes phosphoric acid, nitric acid, an assistant oxidant and a remainder of water. The etchant composition may have substantially the same etching rate for the metal nitride and the metal.
US09530669B1 Method of making a semiconductor device having a semiconductor material on a relaxed semiconductor including replacing a strained, selective etchable material, with a low density dielectric in a cavity
A semiconductor device comprising a substrate having a region protruding from the substrate surface; a relaxed semiconductor disposed on the region; an additional semiconductor disposed on the relaxed semiconductor; and low density dielectric disposed next to and at least partially underneath the relaxed semiconductor and adjacent to the protruding region of the substrate.
US09530666B2 Plasma etching method and plasma etching apparatus
A plasma etching method includes a first process and a second process. In the first process, a hole is formed in a processing target film formed on a substrate accommodated within a processing chamber by performing an etching process of etching the processing target film. In the second process, a removing process, a deposition process and an extending process are repeatedly performed. In the removing process, a reaction product adhering to an inlet portion of the hole which is formed through the etching process is removed. In the deposition process, a deposit is deposited on a sidewall of the hole from which the reaction product is removed through the removing process. In the extending process, the hole, in which the deposit is deposited on the sidewall thereof through the deposition process, is deeply etched by performing the etching process.
US09530660B2 Multiple directed self-assembly patterning process
Disclosed is a method of forming a target pattern for a semiconductor device using multiple directed self-assembly (DSA) patterning processes. The method includes receiving a substrate and forming a guide pattern over the substrate by performing a process that includes a first DSA process. The method further includes performing a second DSA process over the substrate using the guide pattern. In an embodiment, the first DSA process controls the first pitch of a dense pattern in a first direction and the second DSA process controls the second pitch of the dense pattern in a second direction.
US09530658B2 Continuous plasma etch process
A method for processing a substrate in a process chamber is provided. A plurality of cycles is provided to process the substrate, wherein each cycle comprises the steps of providing a flow of a first process gas into the process chamber, stopping the flow of the first process gas into the process chamber, providing a flow of a first transition gas into the process chamber, wherein the first transition gas neutralizes a component of the first process gas, stopping the flow of the first transition gas into the process chamber, providing a flow of a second process gas into the process chamber, stopping the second process gas into the process chamber, and maintaining a continuous plasma during the cycle.
US09530655B2 Slurry composition for chemical mechanical polishing of Ge-based materials and devices
A CMP slurry composition which provides for a high Ge- or SiGe-to-dielectric material selectivity a low rate of Ge or SiGe recess formation includes an oxidant and a germanium removal rate enhancer including at least one of a methylpyridine compound and a methylpyridine derivative compound. In some examples, the slurry composition also includes an etching inhibitor. In some cases, the slurry composition may include an abrasive, a surfactant, an organic complexant, a chelating agent, an organic or inorganic acid, an organic or inorganic base, a corrosion inhibitor, or a buffer. The slurry composition may be distributed onto a surface of a polishing pad disposed on a platen that is configured to rotate. Additionally, a workpiece carrier configured to house a substrate may bring the substrate into contact with the rotating polishing pad and thereby polish the substrate utilizing the slurry composition.
US09530650B2 Method of creation of defects using X-ray radiation and electric field and its application
The goal is the improvement of technologies of modification of material properties by decreasing expenditures of energy and time and extending possibilities for modification of the materials by creating and maintaining a metastable state, which is characterized by a change in the structure of the material. The invention belongs to the technological field of manufacturing materials with desired properties, and in part to the field of methods of defect generation in crystals, and it can be applied in industries that apply the process of material doping with impurities in order to manufacture materials having a desired concentration of defects and an increased concentration of charge carriers, to create a metastable structural state of the material, as well as to measure energy and doses of radio waves.
US09530647B2 Devices including ultra-short gates and methods of forming same
Provided are devices including ultra-short gates and methods of forming same. Methods include forming a first gate pattern on a semiconductor that includes a first recess having a first width. A dielectric spacer is formed on a sidewall of the first recess to define a second recess in the first recess that has a second width that is smaller than the first width. A gate having the second width is formed in the second recess.
US09530643B2 Selective epitaxy using epitaxy-prevention layers
A method for forming an epitaxial structure includes providing a two-dimensional material on a crystal semiconductor material and opening up portions of the two-dimensional material to expose the crystal semiconductor material. A structure is epitaxially grown in the portions opened up in the crystal semiconductor material such that the epitaxial growth is selective to the exposed crystal semiconductor material relative to the two-dimensional material.
US09530638B2 Method to grow thin epitaxial films at low temperature
Implementations of the present disclosure generally relate to methods for epitaxial growth of a silicon material on an epitaxial film. In one implementation, the method includes forming an epitaxial film over a semiconductor fin, wherein the epitaxial film includes a top surface having a first facet and a second facet, and forming an epitaxial layer on at least the top surface of the epitaxial film by alternatingly exposing the top surface to a first precursor gas comprising one or more silanes and a second precursor gas comprising one or more chlorinated silanes at a temperature of about 375° C. to about 450° C. and a chamber pressure of about 5 Torr to about 20 Torr.
US09530637B2 Fin structure formation by selective etching
Methods and apparatus for forming FinFET structures are provided. Selective etching and deposition processes described herein may provide for FinFET manufacturing without the utilization of multiple patterning processes. Embodiments described herein also provide for fin material manufacturing methods for transitioning from silicon to III-V materials while maintaining acceptable crystal lattice orientations of the various materials utilized. Further embodiments provide etching apparatus which may be utilized to perform the methods described herein.
US09530636B2 Light source with nanostructured antireflection layer
A laser-sustained plasma light source includes a plasma cell configured to contain a volume of gas. The plasma cell is configured to receive illumination from a pump laser in order to generate plasma within the volume of gas. The plasma emits broadband radiation. The plasma cell includes one or more transparent portions being at least partially transparent to at least a portion of illumination from the pump laser and at least a portion of the broadband radiation emitted by the plasma. The plasma cell also includes one or more nanostructured layers disposed on one or more surfaces of the one or more transparent portions of the plasma cell. The one or more nanostructure layers form a region of refractive index control across an interface between the one or more transparent portions of the plasma cell and an atmosphere.
US09530634B2 Device for supplying voltage to the cathode of a mass spectrometer
A simplified device for voltage supply of the cathode of a mass spectrometer comprises a push-pull transformer, wherein, apart from the normal rectifier diodes (7, 9), a controlled rectifier (8, 10) is provided. The gate of the first transistor (8) is connected to the second output (30), and the gate of the second transistor (10) is connected to the first output (32) of the transformer. A voltage supply device, consisting of at least one voltage multiplier, is connected via capacitors (13, 14, 15) to the output of the transformer and feeds, amongst others, the emission current measurement device.
US09530632B2 Ion detection system and method
A detection system and a method for detecting ions which have been separated in a time-of-flight (TOF) mass analyzer, comprising an amplifying arrangement for converting ions into packets of secondary particles and amplifying the packets of secondary particles, wherein the amplifying arrangement is arranged so that each packet of secondary particles produces at least a first output and a second output separated in time and so that during the delay between producing the first and second output the first output produced by a packet of secondary particles is used for modulating the second output produced by the same packet. An increased dynamic range of detection and protection of the detection system against intense ion pulses is thereby provided.
US09530631B2 Compact mass spectrometer
A miniature mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure ionisation source and a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber located downstream of the first vacuum chamber and a third vacuum chamber located downstream of the second vacuum chamber. An ion detector is located in the third vacuum chamber. A first RF ion guide is located within the first vacuum chamber and a second RF ion guide is located within the second vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detector is ≦400 mm. The mass spectrometer further comprises a tandem quadrupole mass analyser, a 3D ion trap mass analyser, a 2D or linear ion trap mass analyser, a Time of Flight mass analyser, a quadrupole-Time of Flight mass analyser or an electrostatic mass analyser arranged in the third vacuum chamber. The product of the pressure P1 in the vicinity of the first RF ion guide and the length L1 of the first RF ion guide is in the range 10-100 mbar-cm and the product of the pressure P2 in the vicinity of the second RF ion guide and the length L2 of the second RF ion guide is in the range 0.05-0.3 mbar-cm.
US09530627B2 Method for cleaning titanium alloy deposition
Embodiments described herein relate to a thermal chlorine gas cleaning process. In one embodiment, a method for cleaning N-Metal film deposition in a processing chamber includes positioning a dummy substrate on a substrate support. The processing chamber is heated to at least about 50 degrees Celsius. The method further includes flowing chlorine gas into the processing chamber and evacuating chlorine gas from the processing chamber. In another embodiment, a method for cleaning titanium aluminide film deposition in a processing chamber includes heating the processing chamber to a temperature between about 70 about degrees Celsius and about 100 degrees Celsius, wherein the processing chamber and the substrate support include one or more fluid channels configured to heat or cool the processing chamber and the substrate support.
US09530623B2 Process chamber apparatus, systems, and methods for controlling a gas flow pattern
Process chamber gas flow control apparatus may include, or be included in, a process chamber configured to process a substrate therein. The gas flow control apparatus may include a valve configured to seal an exhaust port in the process chamber. The valve may be moveable in the X, Y, and Z directions relative to the exhaust port to adjust a gas flow pattern (including, e.g., flow rate and/or flow uniformity) within the process chamber. Methods of adjusting a flow of a process gas within a process chamber are also provided, as are other aspects.
US09530621B2 Integrated induction coil and microwave antenna as an all-planar source
This disclosure relates to a plasma processing system that can use a single power source assembly to generate inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and surface wave plasma using the same physical hardware. The power source assembly may include an antenna plate that may include a conductive material be used an ICP coil for a radio frequency (RF) power source and as a slot antenna for a microwave source.
US09530620B2 Dual control modes
Systems and methods for using variables based on a state associated with a plasma system. A method includes determining whether the state associated with the plasma system is a first state or a second state and determining a first variable upon determining that the state is the first state. The first variable is determined based on a measurement at a communication medium. The method further includes determining a second variable upon determining that the state is the second state. The second variable is determined based on a measurement at the communication medium. The method includes determining whether the second variable exceeds a first threshold, providing an instruction to reduce power supplied to a plasma chamber upon determining that the second variable exceeds the first threshold, and providing an instruction to increase power supplied to the plasma chamber upon determining that the second variable is below the first threshold.
US09530616B2 Blanking aperture array and charged particle beam writing apparatus
In one embodiment, a blanking aperture array includes a substrate including an upper surface on which an insulating film is provided, a plurality of blanking aperture portions provided in the substrate, each of the plurality of blanking aperture portions including one of penetration holes, through which a predetermined beam passes, and one of blanking electrodes and one of ground electrodes which are provided on the insulating film, and the blanking electrodes and the ground electrodes configured to perform blanking deflection of the predetermined beam, and a high-resistivity film provided so as to cover the insulating film and at least part of the ground electrodes, the high-resistivity film having an electric resistance that is higher than an electric resistance of the ground electrodes and lower than an electric resistance of the insulating film.
US09530615B2 Techniques for improving the performance and extending the lifetime of an ion source
A system and method of improving the performance and extending the lifetime of an ion source is disclosed. The ion source includes an ion source chamber, a suppression electrode and a ground electrode. In the processing mode, the ion source chamber may be biased to a first positive voltage, while the suppression electrode is biased to a negative voltage to attract positive ions from within the chamber through an aperture and toward the workpiece. In the cleaning mode, the ion source chamber may be grounded, while the suppression electrode is biased using a power supply having a high current capability. The voltage applied to the suppression electrode creates a plasma between the suppression electrode and the ion source chamber, and between the suppression electrode and the ground electrode.
US09530612B2 Charged particle beam system and method of operating a charged particle beam system
The present disclosure relates to a charged particle beam system comprising a charged particle beam source, a charged particle column, a sample chamber, a plurality of electrically powered devices arranged within or at either one of the charged particle column, the charged particle beam source and the sample chamber, and at least one first converter to convert an electrical AC voltage power into an electrical DC voltage. The first converter is positioned at a distance from either of the charged particle beam source, the charged particle column and the charged particle chamber, and all elements of the plurality of electrically powered devices, when operated during operation of the charged particle beam source, are configured to be exclusively powered by the DC voltage provided by the converter.
US09530605B2 Laser activated magnetic field manipulation of laser driven ion beams
A system for generating pulses of charged particles, comprising a high intensity pulsed laser emitting laser pulses which, when impacting a target, generate pulses of charged particles. The particles passes through an electromagnet energized by a low inductance current feed incorporating a light activated switch to turn the energizing current on and off. Part of the light of the laser pulse is directed onto the light activated switch, such that the magnetic field is optically synchronized with the generated pulses of charged particles. This enables energizing the magnet only during passage of the pulses, such that it is lighter and more energy efficient than prior art systems using CW electromagnets. Synchronization also enables selection of charged particles having a predetermined range of particle energy, by timing activation of the magnetic field such that it diverts onto a selected beam path only the particles having the predetermined range of energies.
US09530604B2 Method for operating a traveling-wave tube module
A method for operating a traveling-wave tube module of a communication satellite involves receiving of a high-frequency signal from an antenna of the satellite and determining that the high-frequency signal is to be amplified. The cathode current of a traveling-wave tube is increased to a predetermined operating value if the high-frequency signal is to be amplified and the high-frequency signal is amplified by the traveling-wave tube.
US09530600B2 Microelectronic switch and active matrix organic light emitting display device
The embodiments of the present invention discloses a microelectronic switch comprising: a gate electrode; a source electrode; a drain electrode; a first electrostatic electrode; a cantilever with two working positions of an open position and a close position; a connecting portion arranged at the cantilever; a second electrostatic electrode arranged at the cantilever, the second electrostatic electrode is electrically connected with the gate electrode and is arranged opposite to the first electrostatic electrode; an insulating dielectric layer arranged between the first electrostatic electrode and the second electrostatic electrode; the cantilever is located at one working position of the two working positions when the voltage applied by the gate electrode to the second electrostatic electrode is less than a preset threshold, the cantilever is switched to the other working position of the two working positions when said voltage is greater than the preset threshold.
US09530599B2 Electromagnetic relay
An electromagnetic relay includes an electromagnet block, a pair of fixed contacts, a movable spring, and a stopper. The electromagnet block includes an exciter coil and an armature. The movable spring includes a fixed portion and a movable portion. The fixed portion is fixed to the electromagnet block. The movable portion contacts fixed contact and is separated from the fixed contacts in response to turning on and off of an energizing of the exciter coil. The stopper configured to restrict a movement of the movable portion. The armature is fixed to the movable portion and is displaced unitarily with the movable portion. The movable spring is configured to, upon turning on the energizing of the exciter coil, cause the movable portion to move, by magnetic force, in an approaching direction in which the movable portion approaches the fixed contacts with the fixed portion functioning as a fulcrum, and contact the fixed connection portions. The movable spring is configured to, upon turning off the energizing of the exciter coil, cause the movable portion to be separated, by restoring force, from the fixed contacts in a separating direction in which the movable portion is separated from the fixed contacts. The stopper is configured to, upon turning on the energizing of the exciter coil, contact the movable portion and reduce a moving speed of the movable portion in the approaching direction before the movable portion contacts the fixed contacts. The stopper is configured to, upon turning off the energizing of the exciter coil, contact the armature and reduce the moving speed of the movable portion in the separating direction.
US09530594B2 Integrated particle trap in a tank of a dead tank circuit breaker
A tank for a dead tank circuit breaker includes a body having an interior volume defined by an interior surface. A particle trap structure includes a pair of recessed surfaces in a bottom portion of the interior surface. Each recessed surface is disposed in spaced relation with respect to the interior surface so as to define a channel. A raised surface is spaced from the recessed surfaces and separates the recessed surfaces. The channels are constructed and arranged to trap foreign particles in the interior volume, with the raised surface being constructed and arranged to raise an electric field in the interior volume to be above the channels so as to eliminate electrical activity that would affect the particles in the channels.
US09530590B2 Luminous keyboard
A luminous keyboard includes plural bottom-emitting type illumination elements, a sensing module, plural keys, and a light-transmissible supporting plate. As a key is moved toward the sensing module, the sensing module generates a corresponding non-contact key signal. Each bottom-emitting type illumination element is aligned with the corresponding key, and disposed under the corresponding key. The light-transmissible supporting plate is arranged between the plural bottom-emitting type illumination elements and the plural keys. After the light beam provided by each bottom-emitting type illumination element is transmitted through the light-transmissible supporting plate, the light beam is projected to the corresponding key.
US09530588B2 Circuit breaking arrangement
A circuit breaking arrangement is disclosed, which is adapted to be coupled to a transmission line arranged to carry direct current for controllably effecting discontinuation of flow of direct current in the transmission line. The circuit breaking arrangement includes a current interrupter unit adapted to, when actuated, interrupt current in the transmission line and a first resonance circuit and at least a second resonance circuit. Each of the first and the at least a second resonance circuit is adapted to, upon actuation of the current interrupter unit and when the respective resonance circuit is activated, generate a resonance current superposing current of any arc generated in the current interrupter unit after actuation thereof. At least during a predefined period immediately after actuation of the current interrupter unit a resonance current that has been generated by the first resonance circuit flows into the current interrupter unit from a different direction than a resonance current generated by the second resonance circuit would have, or vice versa.
US09530582B2 Energized parts guard
An energized parts guard is disclosed includes a panel of substantially rigid, electrically insulative material wherein the substantially rigid panel further includes a first one or more apertures and a second one or more apertures. The first one or more apertures are so dimensioned to accept one or more circuit breakers inserted into the first one or more apertures such that there is less than a 12.5 millimeter gap between the panel and the circuit breaker on at least two sides of the one or more circuit breakers. The second one or more apertures are positioned to facilitate access to at least one terminal of each of the one or more circuit breakers when the one or more circuit breakers are inserted into the first one or more apertures.
US09530569B2 Method for manufacturing solid electrolytic capacitor element
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a solid electrolytic capacitor element, wherein a dielectric layer, a semiconductor layer, a carbon layer and a silver layer are sequentially formed on a tungsten base material. This method is characterized in that: the formation of the carbon layer is carried out by laminating a carbon paste on the semiconductor layer; the carbon paste is an aqueous resin solution containing carbon particles; and a repair formation treatment is carried out after the formation of the carbon layer but before the formation of the silver layer. The time duration of the repair formation treatment is 1-40 minutes; the current density is 0.05-2.5 mA/piece; and the treatment temperature is 0-40° C.
US09530566B2 Multilayer ceramic electronic component
The present invention aims to suppress the cracks and delamination to improve the bending strength of multilayer ceramic electronic component with internal electrode layers wherein the thickness of the internal electrode layer is 0.5 μm or less. The multilayer ceramic electronic component is a laminated body having internal electrode layers and dielectric ceramic layers which are laminated alternately. The internal electrode layers have electrode discontinuity portion. In a part of the electrode discontinuity portion, a dielectric ceramic particle bigger than the thickness of the dielectric ceramic layer is contained when the cross section is observed from the direction perpendicular to the laminating plane of the laminated body. The dielectric ceramic particles have the same crystal structure with the dielectric ceramic particles contained in the dielectric ceramic layers, and contact with at least one internal electrode layers which are opposite to each other with dielectric ceramic layers sandwiched therebetween.
US09530564B2 Dielectric ceramic and multilayer ceramic capacitor
A dielectric ceramic that contains Al and Si, as well as a barium titanate-based compound having a perovskite type crystal structure as a primary component. The total molar amount of Al and Si is 2 to 4 parts by mole with respect to 100 parts by mole of Ti, and the content ratio of Al with respect to the total molar amount is 0.2 or less (excluding 0) on the molar ratio basis. The dielectric ceramic may also contain at least one specific rare earth element Re, such as Gd, Tb, or Dy.
US09530563B2 Dielectric ceramic composition and dielectric element
The present invention relates to a dielectric ceramic composition which is complex oxides represented by the following formula (1), {[(BisNat)a(BiuKv)bBac]1-dAd}xTi1-dNbdO3 (1), wherein, in formula (1), A represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Li, Na and K, and a, b, c, d, s, t, u, v and x are numbers respectively satisfying the following formulae, 0.10≦a≦0.95, 0.00
US09530562B2 Dielectric ceramic composition and dielectric device
To provide a dielectric ceramic composition having a high dielectric constant, i.e., 3,000 or more, at elevated temperatures at or above 150° C. and having a practically sufficient relative dielectric constant at an applied DC electric field of 2 V/μm, and to provide a dielectric device including such a dielectric ceramic composition, a dielectric ceramic composition is a composite oxide represented by formula (1): {[(BisNat)a(BiuKv)bBac]1-dNad}xTi1-dNbdO3  (1) where a, b, c, d, s, t, u, v, and x are numbers satisfying the following conditions: 0.20≦a<0.95 0.00(0.80−a)/2 a+b+c=1 0.02≦d<0.10 0.90≦s+u≦1.00 0.45≦t≦0.50 0.45≦v≦0.50 0.95≦x≦1.05.
US09530557B2 Working machine powered in a non-contact manner
There is provided a working machine including a guide beam having a power transmitter; at least one working head comprising a power receiver and configured to move along the guide beam, wherein the power receiver receives power from the power transmitter in a non-contact manner in which the power receiver and the power transmitter are not physically connected, and wherein the working head operates by the received power in the non-contact manner.
US09530546B2 Chip resistor and method of producing the same
[Subject]To provide a chip resistor free from chipping of corner portions thereof and a method of producing the chip resistor.[Solution] The chip resistor (1) includes: a board (2) having a device formation surface (2A), a back surface (2B) opposite from the device formation surface (2A) and side surfaces (2C-2F) connecting the device formation surface (2A) to the back surface (2B), a resistor portion (56) provided on the device formation surface (2A), a first connection electrode (3) and a second connection electrode (4) provided on the device formation surface (2A) and electrically connected to the resistor portion (56), and a resin film (24) covering the device formation surface (2A) with the first connection electrode (3) and the second connection electrode (4) being exposed therefrom. Intersection portions (11) of the board (2) along which the back surface (2B) intersects the side surfaces (2C-2F) each have a rounded shape.
US09530545B2 Device comprising a thermal fuse and a resistor
The present invention discloses a device comprising a thermal fuse, a resistor and a protective casing. The protective casing provides housing for the thermal fuse and the resistor and increases the anti-explosion properties and insulating and voltage-withstanding properties at the same time. The thermal fuse and the resistor can be used as a basic unit and be directly installed into a switch-mode power supply. It is capable of replacing the existing simple wirewound resistor or the wirewound resistor with an external contact type thermal fuse, and realizing the functions of general impedance, over-current fuse protection, surge protection, anti-explosion and over-temperature protection in case of overloading.
US09530542B2 Shielded cable
A shielded cable includes an insulated wire including a conductor wire and an insulation formed around the conductor wire, and a shield layer formed around the insulated wire and including a shield wire. The shield wire includes a tubular member including a conductive material and defining a gap therein, and a magnetic powder is filled in the gap.
US09530541B2 Cable with spring steel or other reinforcement member(s) for stable routing between support points
An apparatus includes a cable having at least one signal transport line and at least one reinforcement member. The at least one signal transport line is configured to transport one or more signals through the cable. The at least one signal transport line and the at least one reinforcement member are twisted in a common direction around a central axis of the cable, where the central axis extends in a longitudinal direction along a length of the cable. A twist rate of the at least one signal transport line substantially equals a twist rate of the at least one reinforcement member. At least part of each signal transport line is physically located between adjacent twists of each reinforcement member in the longitudinal direction of the cable.
US09530535B2 Hydrogen-free amorphous dielectric insulating thin films with no tunneling states
A hydrogen-free amorphous dielectric insulating film having a high material density and a low density of tunneling states is provided. The film is prepared by e-beam deposition of a dielectric material on a substrate having a high substrate temperature Tsub under high vacuum and at a low deposition rate. In an exemplary embodiment, the film is amorphous silicon having a density greater than about 2.18 g/cm3 and a hydrogen content of less than about 0.1%, prepared by e-beam deposition at a rate of about 0.1 nm/sec on a substrate having Tsub=400° C. under a vacuum pressure of 1×10−8 Torr.
US09530534B2 Transparent conductive film
Metal nanowires with uniform noble metal coatings are described. Two methods, galvanic exchange and direct deposition, are disclosed for the successful formation of the uniform noble metal coatings. Both the galvanic exchange reaction and the direct deposition method benefit from the inclusion of appropriately strong binding ligands to control or mediate the coating process to provide for the formation of a uniform coating. The noble metal coated nanowires are effective for the production of stable transparent conductive films, which may comprise a fused metal nanostructured network.
US09530530B2 Scintillator panel, radiation detector, and methods for manufacturing the same
A method is provided for manufacturing a scintillator panel including a substrate and a scintillator layer containing a plurality of crystals formed by depositing a scintillator material on a deposition surface of the substrate. The method includes depositing the scintillator material on the deposition surface of the substrate such that the scintillator material incidents on the deposition surface obliquely with respect to the normal to the deposition surface, and varying the angle between a reference direction on the deposition surface and a projected incident direction that is obtained by projecting the direction of the scintillator material incident onto the deposition surface. In the vapor deposition, the amount of the scintillator material deposited on the deposition surface changes according to the angle between the projected incident direction and the reference direction.
US09530524B2 Localised energy concentration
A method of producing a localized concentration of energy comprises creating at least one shockwave (10) propagating through a non-gaseous medium (8) so as to be incident upon a pocket of gas (2) within the medium (8). The pocket of gas (2) is attached to a surface (6) comprising a depression (4) shaped so as partially to receive the gas pocket (2). An apparatus for producing a localized concentration of energy comprises a non-gaseous medium (8) having therein a pocket of gas (2). The pocket of gas (2) is attached to a surface (6) comprising a depression (4) shaped so as partially to receive the gas pocket (2). The apparatus further comprises means for creating at least one shockwave (10) propagating through the medium (8) so as to be incident upon the pocket of gas (2).
US09530522B1 Sorting non-volatile memories
A computer-implemented method for sorting non-volatile random access memories (NVRAMS) includes testing a failure metric for each of a plurality of NVRAMS over a plurality of testing sessions to capture failure metric data that corresponds to the plurality of NVRAMS. The method also includes determining a trend in the failure metric as a function of testing cycles for each of the plurality of NVRAMS from the failure metric data, and separating the plurality of NVRAMS into groups based on the trend in the failure metric as a function of testing cycles. A corresponding computer program product and computer system are also disclosed herein.
US09530520B2 Shift register unit, GOA circuit, array substrate and display device
A shift register unit, a GOA circuit, an array substrate and a display device are provided. The shift register unit comprises an input module, a charging module, a reset module, a first switch module T1 and a second switch module T2. A output terminal of the input module is connected to gate line Gi through T1 and connected to gate line Gi+3 through T2, gates of T1 and T2 are connected to a first clock signal line and a second clock signal line having a phase difference of half of a cycle. The gate lines Gi−1 and Gi+2 are connected to the input terminal of the input module through the charging module; the gate lines Gi+1 and Gi+4 are connected to the input terminal and the output terminal of the input module through the reset module. One shift register unit is shared by two gate lines, which reduces the area occupied by the GOA circuit on the array substrate, and satisfies the requirement of narrow frames of the array substrate.
US09530517B2 Read disturb detection in open blocks
A storage device with a memory may include read disturb detection for open blocks. An open or partially programmed block may develop read disturb errors from reading of the programmed portion of the open block. The detection of any read disturb effects may be necessary for continued programming of the open block and may include verifying that wordlines in the unprogrammed portion of the open block are in the erase state. A modified erase verify operation for the open block is used in which programmed wordlines are subject to a higher erase verify read voltage, while the unprogrammed wordlines are subject to an erase verify bias voltage.
US09530507B2 Non-volatile memory apparatus and writing circuit and method for non-volatile memory apparatus
A writing circuit for a non-volatile memory apparatus is provided. The non-volatile memory apparatus includes a control circuit determining that a programming process of each memory cell is finished when performing data writing. An on/off state of a first switch is controlled according to data stored by a memory component, wherein the memory component stores a programming verify status of the corresponding memory cell. A determination control MOS transistor performs a determination control on a programming validation. A second switch applies a voltage for controlling the determination control MOS transistor to a gate of the determination control MOS transistor according to a determination control signal and sets a gate voltage of the determination control MOS transistor to a voltage value equal to a threshold voltage of the determination control MOS transistor plus a predetermined control voltage value.
US09530503B2 And-type SGVC architecture for 3D NAND flash
A memory device includes a plurality of strings of memory cells. A plurality of stacks of conductive strips includes first upper strips configured as first string select lines for the strings in the plurality of strings, second upper strips configured as second string select lines for the strings in the plurality of strings, and intermediate strips configured as word lines for the strings in the plurality of strings. The memory device includes control circuitry coupled to the first string select lines and the second string select lines, and configured to select a particular string in the plurality of strings by applying a first turn-on voltage to a first string select line in the first string select lines coupled to the particular string, and a second turn-on voltage to a second string select line in the second string select lines coupled to the particular string.
US09530502B2 Configuration memory storing data by injecting carriers in gate insulating layer of MISFET
A configuration memory includes: memory cell including first and second MISFETs, each of the first and second MISFETs having a gate insulating layer, a source, a drain, and a gate, one of the source and the drain of the first MISFET being connected to a first bit line, the gate of the first MISFET being connected to a first word line, one of the source and the drain of the second MISFET being connected to a second bit line, the gate of the second MISFET being connected to the first word line; a sense amplifier having an output terminal and connected to the first and second bit lines; and a control circuit which is configured to write data in the memory cell by injecting carriers in the gate insulating layer of the first MISFET.
US09530501B2 Non-volatile static random access memory (NVSRAM) having a shared port
A nonvolatile memory device includes a shared port block, a plurality of decoded address signals, a read signal, and a read word line. The shared port block includes a shared port communicatively coupled to a block, the block comprising a plurality of memory cells, wherein the shared port is operable to sense a voltage level at each of the plurality of memory cells. The plurality of decoded address signals are communicatively coupled to the block. Each of the plurality of decoded address signals is operable to enable a corresponding one of the plurality of memory cells. The read signal is communicatively coupled to the shared port. The read signal is operable to enable a read operation associated with the block. The read word line signal is communicatively coupled to the shared port block. The read word line signal is operable to enable the read operation.
US09530493B2 Resistive random-access memory cells
Improved random-access memory cells, complementary cells, and memory devices. The present invention provides a RRAM cell for storing information in a plurality of programmable cell states. The RRAM cell includes: an electrically-insulating matrix located between a first electrode and a second electrode such that an electrically-conductive path, extending in a direction between said electrodes, is formed within said matrix on application of a write voltage to said electrodes; an electrically-conductive component; wherein a resistance is presented by the electrically-conductive component; and wherein said RRAM is arranged such that said resistance is at least about that of said electrically-conductive path and at most about that of said electrically-insulating matrix in any of said plurality of programmable cell states.
US09530491B1 System and method for direct write to MLC memory
Apparatus and method for writing data directly to multi-level cell (MLC) memory without folding or transferring of the data from single-level cell (SLC) memory to MLC memory are disclosed. A memory device, which includes the SLC memory and MLC memory, receives data from a host device. The memory device programs the data (such as the lower/middle/upper pages) from volatile memory into MLC memory, without transferring data from SLC memory. The memory device also stores part of the data (such as the lower/middle pages) in SLC memory as a backup in case of error. In particular, if the data is not properly programmed into the MLC memory, the data in SLC memory is used to program the data a second time into the MLC memory.
US09530478B2 Memory device using spin hall effect and methods of manufacturing and operating the memory device
A memory device using a spin hall effect, and methods of manufacturing and operating the memory device, include applying a first operational current to a bit line of the memory device such that a spin current is applied to a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) cell coupled to the bit line due to a material in the bit line, wherein the bit line is electrically connected to a word line via the MTJ cell, and the word line intersects the bit line.
US09530477B2 Apparatuses and methods for setting a signal in variable resistance memory
An example of a method reads a spin torque transfer (STT) memory cell, and writes the STT memory cell using information obtained during the reading of the STT memory cell to set a pulse to write the STT memory cell. An example of an apparatus includes a STT memory cell and read/write circuitry coupled to the STT memory cell to determine a read current (IREAD) through the STT memory cell and to set a pulse to write the STT memory cell using IREAD. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US09530476B2 Memory device with shared read/write circuitry
In some examples, a memory device may be configured to read or write multiple bit cells as part of the same operation. In some cases, the tunnel junctions forming the bit cells may be arranged to utilize shared read/write circuitry. For instance, the tunnel junctions may be arranged such that both tunnel junctions may be written using the same write voltages. In some cases, the bit cells may be configured such that each bit cell is driven to the same state, while in other cases, select bit cells may be driven high, while others are driven low.
US09530472B1 Data alignment device
A data alignment device includes a buffer configured to buffer a data strobe signal, output a data strobe pulse signal, and buffer inputted data, a latch configured to latch the data in correspondence to the data strobe pulse signal, a first delay configured to delay the data strobe pulse signal and output a delayed signal, a divider configured to divide the delayed signal at a time of activation of a division control signal and generate a plurality of divided signals, a control circuit configured to receive a command signal, a clock, the data strobe signal, and the plurality of divided signals, and control the division control signal for controlling an enable state of the divider, and an alignment circuit configured to align output data in correspondence to the plurality of divided signals.
US09530468B2 Method, apparatus and system to manage implicit pre-charge command signaling
Techniques and mechanisms for exchanging information between a memory controller and a memory device. In an embodiment, a memory controller receives information indicating for a memory device a threshold number of pending consolidated activation commands to access that memory device. The threshold number indicated by the information is less than a theoretical maximum number of pending consolidated activation commands, the theoretical maximum number defined based on timing parameters of the memory device. In another embodiment, the memory controller limits communication of consolidated activation commands to the memory device based on the information indicating the threshold number.
US09530467B1 Semiconductor memory device and operating method thereof
Disclosed are a semiconductor memory device and an operating method thereof. The semiconductor memory device may include a memory cell array, a page buffer group, and a control logic. The memory cell array may include a first memory string and a second memory string, which have different channel lengths. The page buffer group may perform a sensing operation on the memory cell array in response to a page buffer sensing signal. The control logic may control the page buffer group to perform the sensing operation, and, during the sensing operation and output the adjusted page buffer sensing signal, may adjust a voltage level of the page buffer sensing signal according to a selected memory string.
US09530449B1 Disc separator plate with mounting pads
Certain exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards an apparatus including a base deck, a plurality of storage mediums, and a plurality of disc separator plates. Each disc separator plate includes one or more mounting pad surfaces, at least one of the surfaces having a protrusion. The disc separator plates are coupled to one another and the base deck via the mounting pads, with the disc separator plates in a stacked arrangement. The protrusion or protrusions facilitate alignment of the plurality of disc separator plates in the stacked arrangement, and mitigate contact between the storage mediums and the disc separator plates.
US09530443B1 Method for fabricating a magnetic recording device having a high aspect ratio structure
A method provides a magnetic write apparatus on a substrate. A mask is provided on a substrate. The mask has a trench therein. The trench has a top, a bottom and a plurality of sidewalls extending between the top and the bottom of the trench. The top of the trench is wider than the bottom. A protective layer is provided in the trench. The protective layer extends from the top of the trench along a first portion of the plurality of sidewalls such that the bottom of the trench and a second portion of the plurality of sidewalls are free of the protective layer. The structure is provided in a remaining portion of the trench.
US09530440B1 Compensating for loss of current through shorted tunneling magnetoresistance sensors
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, systems, and computer program products for compensating for loss of current through shorted tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) sensors. In one embodiment, for a magnetic head having multiple TMR read sensors, a first voltage limit is set for most parts and a second voltage limit is set for all of the parts. A number of TMR read sensors which are allowed to function between the first and the second voltage limits is determined using a probability algorithm, which determines the probability that the application of the second voltage limit will result in a dielectric breakdown within an expected lifetime of a drive is below a threshold value. For the number of TMR read sensors which are allowed to function at voltages between the first and second voltage limits, a determined subset of those sensors are then allowed to function at the second voltage limit.
US09530437B2 Magnetic head, head gimbal assembly, and magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus
A magnetic head has a magnetic head slider that includes a recording element that generates a recording signal magnetic field, a microwave magnetic field generating element that generates a microwave magnetic field, a terminal electrode, and a first transmission line that interconnects the terminal electrode and the microwave magnetic field generating element. A second transmission line is connected to the terminal electrode, the second transmission line being used to transmit a microwave signal from the outside of the magnetic head slider to the magnetic head slider. A capacitor connected to the first transmission line is provided between the terminal electrode and the microwave magnetic field generating element. Accordingly, in the magnetic head, a microwave signal is efficiently propagated.
US09530421B2 Encoding and reproduction of three dimensional audio soundtracks
The present invention provides a novel end-to-end solution for creating, encoding, transmitting, decoding and reproducing spatial audio soundtracks. The provided soundtrack encoding format is compatible with legacy surround-sound encoding formats, so that soundtracks encoded in the new format may be decoded and reproduced on legacy playback equipment with no loss of quality compared to legacy formats.
US09530420B2 Method and apparatus for allocating bits of audio signal
A method and an apparatus for allocating bits of an audio signal. The method includes dividing a frequency band of an audio signal into multiple sub-bands, and quantizing a sub-band normalization factor of each sub-band; classifying the multiple sub-bands into multiple groups, and acquiring a sum of intra-group sub-band normalization factors of each group; performing initial inter-group bit allocation to determine the initial number of bits of each group; performing secondary inter-group bit allocation to allocate coding bits of the audio signal to at least one group; and allocating the bits of the audio signal to sub-bands in the group. The present invention can, by means of grouping, ensure relatively stable allocation in a previous frame and a next frame and reduce an impact of global allocation on local discontinuity in a case of low and medium bit rates.
US09530419B2 Encoding of stereophonic signals
A stereophonic signal is converted into a mid channel signal and a side channel signal. Noise is added to the side channel signal. The amount of noise is selected depending on masking thresholds for at least two channels of the stereophonic signal. The mid channel signal and the modified side channel signal are quantized for transmission. Alternatively or in addition, a set of quantization parameter for the quantization of the side channel signal is selected depending on the masking thresholds.
US09530418B2 Image display apparatus and method of controlling the same
Provided are an image display apparatus and a method of controlling the same. The image display apparatus enabling voice recognition includes: a first voice inputter which receives a user-side audio signal; an audio outputter which outputs an audio signal processed by the image display apparatus; a first voice recognizer which recognizes the user-side audio signal received through the first voice inputter; and a controller which decreases a volume of the audio signal output through the audio outputter to a predetermined level if a voice recognition start command is received.
US09530414B2 Speech recognition using a database and dynamic gate commands
A system and method of controlling an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system includes: receiving speech at the ASR system from a vehicle occupant that includes a command to control a vehicle function; identifying a gate command from the speech; associating the identified gate command with the command to control the vehicle function; storing the associated gate command and vehicle command in a database; receiving additional speech at the ASR system from the vehicle occupant; detecting the gate command in the additional speech; and accessing the stored gate command and vehicle command from the database.
US09530411B2 Dynamically extending the speech prompts of a multimodal application
A prompt generation engine operates to dynamically extend prompts of a multimodal application. The prompt generation engine receives a media file having a metadata container. The prompt generation engine operates on a multimodal device that supports a voice mode and a non-voice mode for interacting with the multimodal device. The prompt generation engine retrieves from the metadata container a speech prompt related to content stored in the media file for inclusion in the multimodal application. The prompt generation engine modifies the multimodal application to include the speech prompt.
US09530407B2 Spatial audio database based noise discrimination
Methods, systems, and computer-readable and executable instructions for spatial audio database based noise discrimination are described herein. For example, one or more embodiments include comparing a sound received from a plurality of microphones to a spatial audio database, discriminating a speech command and a background noise from the received sound based on the comparison to the spatial audio database, and determining an instruction based on the discriminated speech command.
US09530402B2 Methods and systems for adapting a speech system based on user characteristics
Methods and systems are provided for adapting a speech system. In one example a method includes: logging speech data from the speech system; detecting a user characteristic from the speech data; and selectively updating a language model based on the user characteristic.
US09530394B1 Ergonomic instrument strap
An ergonomic instrument strap designed to eliminate pressure points on a user's shoulder, neck, and back, and wear points on the strap. Unique curves in a portion of the strap draw the downward force out toward user's arm while shifting the strap off a user's shoulder blade, reducing fatigue on neck, back, and shoulder muscles. A wider portion over the shoulder helps to distribute force over wider area, reducing stress load on any one point. Additional layers of cloth and padding help to prevent strong downward forces, increasing comfort for the user. May be left orientation, right orientation, or reversible. Strap may include end pieces. Strap end pieces contain pockets with opening facing the user's body to allow the user to quickly recover if a pick is lost. Side opening prevents pick falling into pocket and becoming irretrievable. Strap may contain zero, one, or two end pieces.
US09530392B2 Method for increasing the shape and effective thickness of the neck of a stringed musical instrument
A method of adjusting the effective thickness and/or shape of the neck of a string instrument involves use of spacer device consisting of a precisely molded or shaped material such as wood, metal, or plastic that covers the palm of the hand between the thumb and index finger including the web, thenar compartment, central compartment and hypothenar compartment as well as distal and proximal palmer area used to precisely thicken and modify the shape of the neck of a stringed musical instrument. The spacer device may be bonded to a holder such as the palm area of a fingerless glove or to a strap device covering the palm of the hand using hook and loop bonding material or an adhesive. Alternatively the device may be directly attached to the neck of the instrument or attached to the palm of the hand or held in place by the pressure of the palm on the neck of the instrument. The wooden spacer has a low enough coefficient of friction to slide freely along the neck of a string instrument.
US09530387B2 Adjusting direct memory access transfers used in video decoding
An apparatus having a first memory and a circuit is disclosed. The first memory may be configured to store a list having a plurality of read requests. The read requests generally (i) correspond to a plurality of blocks of a reference picture and (ii) are used to decode a current picture in a bitstream carrying video. The circuit may be configured to (i) rearrange the read requests in the list based on at least one of (a) a size of a buffer in a second memory and (b) a width of a data bus of the second memory and (ii) copy a portion of the reference picture from the second memory to a third memory using one or more direct memory access transfers in response to the list.
US09530381B1 Display with light sensor feedback
In some examples, a display includes a plurality of pixels and a plurality of light sensors. As one example, a respective light sensor may be associated with each pixel. The light sensor output can provide an accurate indication of a current optical state of each of the plurality of pixels. For instance, output from a light sensor proximate to a particular pixel may be used when determining a pixel control signal to be applied for updating the particular pixel to a next optical state. The light sensors may be located below, above, laterally adjacent to, or within one or more pixel elements of each pixel. Additionally, in some examples, one or more light sources may be provided to normalize the output from the light sensors to compensate for variations in ambient lighting and the like.
US09530355B2 Shift register and driving method thereof, shift scanning circuit and display apparatus
Provided are a shift register and a driving method thereof, a shift scanning circuit, and a display apparatus. The shift register comprises an input switch unit, an inverting unit, an output switch unit, and a first node voltage maintaining unit. The input switch unit has an output terminal (O) connected to a first node (N1). The first node voltage maintaining unit has a voltage stabilizing terminal connected to the first node (N1), and is adapted to record a level at the first node (N1) when the input switch unit is turned on, and to maintain the recorded level at an input terminal (I) of the inverting unit when the input switch unit is turned off. The inverting unit has an output terminal (O) connected to a second node (N2). The output switch unit has a control terminal (CON) connected to the second node (N2), and is turned on according to a state of a level at the second node. The shift register provided by the solution can adopt a PMOS structure to realize shifting positive-logic scanning signals and outputting positive-logic scanning signals, so that the PMOS structure can be used for the scan driving of the LTPS AMOLED.
US09530354B2 Active matrix organic light emitting diode pixel unit circuit and display panel
The present invention provides an active matrix organic light emitting diode, AMOLED pixel unit circuit and a display panel for integrating a touch screen circuit into the AMOLED pixel unit circuit, and manufacturing an AMOLED display panel having the functionality of a touch screen. The AMOLED pixel unit circuit comprises a driving module, configured to amplify a induction signal generated by a touch sensing module, output the induction signal through a induction signal output module, and drive a light emitting module; the light emitting control module, configured to control the light emitting module to emit light; a threshold compensation module, configured to compensate a threshold voltage of the driving module; a charging module, configured to charge the threshold compensation module; the touch sensing module, configured to generate the induction signal and output the induction signal to the driving module; and the induction signal output module, configured to output the induction signal amplified by the driving module.
US09530350B2 Display panel
A display panel includes a gate line extending in a column direction, a data line extending in a row direction, a pixel including a switching transistor connected to the gate line and the data line, and a voltage applier connected to a gate line of a present stage. The voltage applier to apply a voltage after conversion of the gate-on voltage to a gate-off voltage has started. The voltage is closer to the gate-on voltage than the gate-off voltage.
US09530349B2 Charged-based compensation and parameter extraction in AMOLED displays
A system reads a desired circuit parameter from a pixel circuit that includes a light emitting device, a drive device to provide a programmable drive current to the light emitting device, a programming input, and a storage device to store a programming signal. One embodiment of the extraction system turns off the drive device and supplies a predetermined voltage from an external source to the light emitting device, discharges the light emitting device until the light emitting device turns off, and then reads the voltage on the light emitting device while that device is turned off. The voltages on the light emitting devices in a plurality of pixel circuits may be read via the same external line, at different times. In-pixel, charge-based compensation schemes are also discussed, which can be used with the external parameter extraction implementations.
US09530348B2 Organic light emitting display device
An organic light emitting display device including a pixel unit, a scan driver, a data driver and a timing controller. The pixel unit includes pixels positioned at intersection portions of scan lines and data lines, and an organic light emitting diode and a pixel circuit are formed in each pixel. The scan driver supplies a scan signal to the scan lines. The data driver supplies a data signal to the data lines. The timing controller supplies a scan control signal to the scan driver and supplies display data and a data control signal to the data driver. In the organic light emitting display device, each organic light emitting diode included in at least some of the pixels is driven by being coupled to a pixel circuit formed in an adjacent pixel.
US09530337B2 Test method and test apparatus for transparent display device
Embodiments of the invention provide a test method and a test apparatus for a transparent display device. The test apparatus for the transparent display device comprises: an optical measuring device disposed on one side of the transparent display device to be tested, and a reference object disposed on the other side of the transparent display device to be tested. A brightness of the transparent display device to be tested is adjustable, and the optical measuring device measures a display effect of the reference object through the transparent display device to be tested which is set to different brightness.
US09530335B2 Automaton capable of writing a signature
Automaton capable of writing a signature formed of a series of characters or of stylized signature, wherein the automaton is housed in a volume of a case and operates by means of a system of three cams, wherein two cams encode the movements of a hinged arm carrying a writing instrument in the two dimensions of a writing plane, and wherein a third cam is used to raise or lower the hinged arm perpendicularly to the writing plane, wherein the hinged arm is movable between a first folded position and a second extended position in which the arm transmits to the writing instrument the movements imparted thereto by the system of three cams.
US09530333B1 Real-time driver observation and scoring for driver's education
A method includes, during a driving session in which a student driver operates a vehicle, gathering driving skill data indicative of at least one of behavior of the student driver, acceleration of the vehicle, braking of the vehicle, or steering of the vehicle, and gathering comments from a driving instructor about the driving session. The method also includes generating a driving session report corresponding to the driving session. The driving session report includes at least one score based on the driving skill data, and the comments from the driving instructor about the driving session. Still further, the method includes causing the driving session report to be displayed on a display device.
US09530332B2 Systems and methods for managing the toilet training process of a child
Systems and methods for managing the toilet training process of a child are provided. In one aspect, a computer system for managing toilet training a person is provided. The computer system includes a memory device, a display device, and a processor in communication with the memory device and the display device. The processor is programmed to provide a first set of functionality accessible using the display device. The processor is also programmed to provide a set of enhanced functionality configured in a disabled status. The processor is further programmed to utilize the first set of functionality to identify completion of a toilet training milestone, and reconfigure the second set of enhanced functionality to an enabled status based on identifying completion of the toilet training milestone.
US09530330B2 Device for visualizing military operations
A device for visualizing military operations for depicting a scenario for a plurality of action subjects represents each action subject by a representative. The device for visualizing military operations has a memory unit, a first representation unit, and a computing unit. The computing unit is designed to control the first representation unit in such a way that a scenario stored in the memory unit together with the action subjects represented by the representatives are reproduced.
US09530324B2 Systems and methods for providing optimal taxi clearances
A system is delineated comprising a display and a receiver coupled to the display for receiving data for presenting on the display, the data representing spoken VHF messages.
US09530319B2 Method and device for determining an operational distance of an unspecified termination segment of an aircraft flight plan
The device includes a receiving unit for receiving at least a start point of an unspecified termination segment, an orientation of the unspecified termination segment and a start point of a following segment, a first computation unit for calculating a median plane passing through the start point of the following segment and perpendicular to this following segment, a second computation unit for calculating an operational distance, called calculated operational distance, as a function of the position of the start point of the unspecified termination segment relative to the median plane, using geometric data, and a transmission unit for providing at least one user means with the calculated operational distance.
US09530318B1 Touchscreen-enabled electronic devices, methods, and program products providing pilot handwriting interface for flight deck systems
Embodiments of a touchscreen-enabled electronic device (referred to as a “digital pilot notepad”), methods, and program products facilitating the entry of handwritten pilot data into one or more flight deck systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, the digital pilot notepad includes an avionics interface over which alphanumeric input data is transmitted to a flight deck system, a touchscreen device, and a controller operably coupled to the avionics interface and to the touchscreen device. The controller is configured to digitally capture a handwritten pilot note written on the touchscreen device by a pilot, convert the handwritten pilot note to alphanumeric input data in a format compatible with the flight deck system, and subsequently submit the alphanumeric input data to the flight deck system over the avionics interface.
US09530303B2 Building security system
A security system that can be used in a home, office, or other building in order to generate alarms or take other actions depending on conditions within the building. The security system may rely on sensors within the building which sense various conditions and collect other data. The information learned from the sensors can be communicated to a location outside the building for processing, such as, but not limited to, processing associated with a need to instigate an alarm.
US09530285B2 Gaming systems, apparatuses and methods employing partial winning combination features
Techniques providing a mid-spin enhancement feature(s) in response to the presented subset of symbols. In one embodiment, a method involves spinning reels of a slot game, and achieving a minimum win combination criteria based on a result of a subset of the reels that have stopped spinning. The remaining reels continue to spin, and an enhanced feature is activated while the remaining reels continue to spin. The remaining reels stop spinning, and results are provided based on at least the result of the reels and the activated enhanced feature.
US09530282B2 Video game gaming system
Described are methods, systems, and media for adapting single player games of skill to a gaming environment. This game gaming comprises: accepting, through the gaming machine, initiation of play by a player; providing one or more games of video game skill, wherein a Playfield is chosen from a Playfield Selection Pool wherein the Playfield is set to have a Maximum Available Payout and games are chosen from that Playfield; evaluating and recording the results of the play of the said game session in the said Playfield; presenting a Paytable to the player, wherein the Paytable comprises one or more lines of payouts based on a player's play results; evaluating and distributing any payout earned according to the best play results and the Paytable; and managing the variance of Return To Player (RTP) of the Paytable, by adjusting selection weights of different Playfields presented to a player.
US09530281B2 Gaming system and method providing one of a plurality of different versions of a game based on a player selected skill level
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gaming system and method providing one of a plurality of different versions of a game based on a player selected skill level. The gaming system displays an indication of a plurality of different skill levels. Each of the skill levels is associated with a different version of a game. The gaming system receives a player selection of one of the skill levels, displays a play of the version of the game associated with the selected skill level, and determines an outcome for the play. If the selected skill level is a designated skill level, the gaming system randomly determines the outcome. If the selected skill level is greater than the designated skill level, the gaming system receives a quantifiable skill input from the player in association with the play, and determines the outcome based in part on the received quantifiable skill input.
US09530280B2 Electronic gaming device with card tournament functionality
Examples disclosed herein relate to systems and methods, which may receive wagers on one or more paylines. The systems and methods may utilize one or more tournament game structures. The systems and methods may utilize one or more power-up cards in the one or more tournament game structures.
US09530254B2 Enhanced transponder programming in an open road toll system
Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for enhanced transponder programming in an open road toll system are disclosed. An example method includes transmitting, in a normal mode, a programming signal from one of the antennas over a first coverage area to instruct the transponder to store data in its memory, the data being contained in the programming signal. The example method further includes determining that the transponder did not store the data in its memory. Based on the determination that the transponder did not store the data in its memory the programming signal is transmitted in an enhanced mode, from one antennas over a second coverage area.
US09530249B2 Computer-readable storage medium having image processing program stored therein, image processing apparatus, image processing system, and image processing method
When an image of a marker existing in a real space is taken by using an outer camera, an image of a plurality of virtual characters which is taken by a virtual camera is displayed on an upper LCD so as to be superimposed on a taken real image of the real space. The virtual characters are located in a marker coordinate system based on the marker, and when a button operation is performed by a user on a game apparatus, the position and the orientation of each virtual character are changed. Then, when a button operation indicating a photographing instruction is provided by the user, an image being displayed is stored in a storage means.
US09530245B2 Packing multiple shader programs onto a graphics processor
This disclosure describes techniques for packing multiple shader programs of a common shader program type onto a graphics processing unit (GPU). The techniques may include, for example, causing a plurality of shader programs of a common shader program type to be loaded into an on-chip shader program instruction memory of a graphics processor such that each shader program in the plurality of shader programs resides in the on-chip shader program instruction memory at a common point in time. In addition, various techniques for evicting shader programs from an on-chip shader program instruction memory are described.
US09530244B2 Method and apparatus for shadow estimation and spreading
A computer-implemented method for creating an image that depicts shadowing for a specified light source even though the input data is not three-dimensional and is limited to elevation data that associates an elevation value with each of a plurality of spatial coordinates. Plumb line walls are generated between elevation points of neighboring grid cells for each elevation point meeting a specified delta elevation criterion. A shadow map is accumulated based on visibility of each pixel to the light source position, and then, in a subsequent pass through the coordinate pixels of the data, an image is created in a tangible medium with each pixel correspondingly visible or shadowed, either totally or partially. Values along one dimension may be spread over a Z-buffer range to optimally resolve visibility features.
US09530240B2 Method and system for rendering virtual views
A method including receiving a first image of a scene captured from a first perspective, the first image including an object and a background; segmenting the first image to extract a first two-dimensional contour of the object; approximating a plurality of three-dimensional locations of a plurality of points on the first contour; generating a three-dimensional billboard of the object based on the three-dimensional locations; and projecting the first image onto the three-dimensional billboard.
US09530238B2 Image processing apparatus, method and program utilizing an opacity curve for endoscopic images
When a virtual-endoscopic-image is generated from a three-dimensional-image representing a tubular-organ, a predetermined range is set in the vicinity of a viewpoint set in advance in the three-dimensional-image, and each of a lumen-region and a wall-region of the tubular-organ in the set range is identified. A voxel-value or a voxel-value-interval constituting a boundary between a range of voxel values in the identified lumen-region and a range of voxel values in the identified wall-region is obtained based on information about voxel-values in the identified lumen-region and information about voxel-values in the identified wall-region, and an opacity-curve representing a relationship between voxel values and opacity is set in such a manner that the opacity changes from a value representing a transparent-state to a value representing an opaque-state at the voxel-value or in the voxel-value-interval. The virtual-endoscopic-image is generated from the three-dimensional-image by volume rendering using the set viewpoint and the set opacity-curve.
US09530236B2 Time code display device and time code display method
A time code display device includes a time code extraction unit that extracts a left image time code from a left image signal that constitutes a stereoscopic image and a right image time code from a right image signal that constitutes the stereoscopic image; a time code comparison unit that compares the left image time code with the right image time code and outputs a comparison result including information on agreement or disagreement between the left and right image time codes; and a display determination unit that determines to display the left and right image time codes in the same manner when the comparison result indicates agreement therebetween, determines to display the left and right image time codes in different manners when the comparison result indicates disagreement therebetween, and displays the left and right image time codes on a display unit.
US09530233B2 Action records associated with editable content objects
A program manages various different parts of editable content, including one or more objects. Various different actions can be performed on an object to edit or change the object in some manner. A program presenting the editable content maintains one or more object action records, each object action record being a record of actions performed on a particular object of the editable content. A program can also maintain a document action record that includes indications of actions performed on parts of the editable content that are not objects having an associated object action record, as well as optionally actions performed on the objects having an associated object action record. In response to a user request to undo an action on a particular object, the actions in the object action list associated with the particular object are undone without undoing any intervening actions performed on other parts of the editable content.
US09530232B2 Augmented reality surface segmentation
Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for providing intuitive, functional, and convenient ways of enabling a user of a head-mounted display unit or another augmented reality enabled device to interact with various user interfaces and other features provided by such a unit or device are presented. In some embodiments, a computing device, such as a head-mounted display unit, may receive camera input of a scene. Subsequently, the computing device may identify at least one reference object in the scene, for example, based on detecting one or more rectangles in the received camera input. The computing device then may receive input that defines a surface segment relative to the at least one reference object. Thereafter, the computing device may render the surface segment.
US09530224B2 Intra prediction method of chrominance block using luminance sample, and apparatus using same
Disclosed are an intra prediction method of a chrominance block using a luminance sample and an apparatus using the same. An image decoding method comprises the steps of: calculating an intra prediction mode of a chrominance block on the basis of an LM mapping table when the chrominance block uses an LM; and generating a prediction block for the chrominance block on the basis of the calculated intra prediction mode of the chrominance block. When intra prediction mode information of chrominance blocks are decoded, mutually different tables are used depending on whether or not an LM is used, so that encoding and decoding can be performed without an unnecessary waste of bits.
US09530223B2 Image correction method and image correction device
An image correction method and an image correction device are provided. The image correction method includes the following steps: obtaining a gray level value of a pixel in an image and a frequency domain value of the gray level value; determining whether the frequency domain value is smaller than a first threshold; performing an adaptive gamma correction procedure on the gray level value according to the frequency domain value and outputting the result if the frequency domain value is smaller than the first threshold; outputting the gray level value directly if the frequency domain value is not smaller than the first threshold.
US09530210B2 Distance calculator and distance calculation method
In order to be able to measure a distance with disparity resolution of a stereo camera or less and precisely measure a relative distance to a target even in the event of degradation of the imaging condition, a distance calculator includes a monocular distance calculation section 203, a stereo distance calculation section 204, a blurriness level calculation section 201, a distance estimation section 202, and an output distance calculation section 206. The monocular distance calculation section 203 calculates the distance to a target based on image information captured by a camera 101 or 102. The stereo distance calculation section 204 calculates the distance to the target based on image information captured by the two cameras 101 and 102. The blurriness level calculation section 201 calculates the blurriness level of the image information captured by the image information captured by the cameras 101 and 102. The distance estimation section 202 estimates the distance to the target at the time of capturing of images by the cameras 101 and 102. The output distance calculation section 206 calculates the distance to the target to be output. The output distance calculation section 206 selects, as the distance to be output, the distance calculated by the monocular distance calculation section 203 or the distance calculated by the stereo distance calculation section 204 based on the blurriness level and the estimated distance.
US09530191B2 Methods and systems for detection and estimation of mosquito noise
Aspects of the present invention are related to systems and methods for detection and estimation of mosquito noise in an image or in a video sequence. A mosquito-noise estimate, at a pixel location, may be computed based on an image ring parameter, a statistical value of noise estimates in a first region associated with the pixel location, a maximum activity value in a second region associated with the pixel location and a noise estimate at the pixel location.
US09530190B2 Image denoising method and image denoising apparatus
The present invention provides an image denoising method and an image denoising apparatus. The image denoising method includes performing preliminary denoising processing to an acquired image to be processed, so as to obtain a preliminarily denoised image; calculating a residual quantity corresponding to a central pixel of each unit area in the image to be processed according to numerical values of specific energy parameters to which the image to be processed and the preliminarily denoised image correspond, respectively; and using the residual quantity to calculate a weight matrix corresponding to each unit area, and performing non-local mean value calculation to the image to be processed according to the weight matrix, so as to realize the denoising processing of the image to be processed. The image denoising method is able to denoise effectively, and make a denoised image more visually natural.
US09530186B2 Real-time image processing for optimizing sub-images views
An image processor and method for processing a sub-image (100a) specified within a global image (100). The processor (DZC) and the method yield a modified sub-image (100m) with spatial frequencies of large scale structures suppressed or removed and the modified sub-image is adapted to the dynamic grey value range of a screen (110) on which said modified sub-image (100m) is to be displayed.
US09530184B1 N-patch image resizing
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes receiving an image having indication pixels that define a plurality of regions within the image that are used for resizing the image and determining, based on the indication pixels, two or more of the regions that are stretchable regions that change size when the image is resized. The method also includes resizing the image by changing a size of at least one of the determined stretchable regions.
US09530183B1 Elastic navigation for fixed layout content
Techniques are described for presenting fixed layout content in which different scaling factors are used for different portions of an original image such that a user viewing the content on a smaller screen can selectively enlarge different portions of the image while still being able to see all the content in the original page or portion of the surrounding context.
US09530182B2 Method for displaying information in particular in a vehicle and display unit for a vehicle
A method for displaying information in a vehicle wherein a control device can generate graphics data which control a display surface such that, in a first display mode, graphic objects and/or buttons for visualizing information of a first vehicle unit are displayed and, in a second display mode, graphic objects and/or switches for visualizing information of a plurality of vehicle units are displayed. In a transition from the first display mode to the second display mode the representation of the graphic objects and/or buttons for visualizing information of the first vehicle unit are decreased in size and changed, and surface graphic objects and/or buttons for visualizing information of other vehicle units are redisplayed and the graphic objects and/or buttons for visualizing information of other vehicle units are moved. Also disclosed is a display unit for carrying out the method.
US09530179B2 Two-dimensional (2D)/three-dimensional (3D) image processing method and system
A method for processing two-dimensional (2D)/three-dimensional (3D) images on a same display area is provided. The method includes receiving image data containing both 2D and 3D images and creating a plurality of image containers including at least one top level image container and at least one sub-level image container, where each image container is provided with a display dimension identity and a coverage area identity. The method also includes determining display positions, dimensions, and occlusion relationships of the 2D and 3D images based on the plurality of image containers. Further, the method includes displaying images in the image containers with corresponding display dimension identities and coverage area identities with the display positions, dimensions, and occlusion relationships, where the display dimension identities include a 2D display and a 3D display.
US09530176B2 Image processing apparatus and method for processing image thereof
An image processing apparatus and image processing method thereof are disclosed. The image processing apparatus includes a first image processor which includes a memory, performs a first signal processing on image data, and stores the first signal processed image data in the memory; a second image processor which directly accesses the memory and receives the stored image data, and performs a second signal processing on the received image data; and an image outputter which outputs the image data on which the second signal processing has been performed. Accordingly, only actual image data area is received, reducing data transmission volume, reducing signal transmission lines, securing CPU resources, and improving timing errors. In addition, it is possible to remove an image transmitter such as an additional low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) block, making the image processing apparatus thinner and smaller.
US09530167B2 Coefficients attribution for different objects based on natural language processing
In one embodiment, a system includes one or more computing systems that implement a social networking environment and is operable to parse users' actions that include free form text to determine and store objects and affinities contained in the text string through natural-language processing. The method comprises accessing a text string, identifying objects and affinity declarations via natural-language processing, assessing the combination of objects and context data to determine an instance of a broader concept, and determining an affinity coefficient through a natural-language processing dictionary. Once a database of stored instances and affinities has been generated and stored, it may be leveraged to push suggestions to members of the social network to enhance their social networking experience.
US09530164B2 Financial-service structured content manager
A financial-service system that manages content objects includes a chronicles platform with a chronicle associated with a loan request. A content manager determines a set of content objects to be associated with the chronicle and generates a bucket for each content object of the set of content objects. Each bucket is associated with a name and is configured to receive an associated content object. The chronicle is populated with the generated buckets. An interface that detects a user action and that thereafter receives or generates a content object, which is detected by the content manager and associated with a bucket. The content manager causes the bucket to receive the content object and presents representations of the buckets to a user. Representations of one or more buckets that have received a content object differ from representations of one or more other buckets that have not received a content object.
US09530162B2 Hide sorting systems and methods
Methods and systems for sorting hides are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments comprise a tanning control system that enhances the traceability of hides by capturing and utilizing data related to the unloading, tanning, sorting, and packaging of hides. Furthermore, one or more embodiments enable the tanning control system to improve efficiency by sorting hides based, at least in part, on data generated during prior tanning processes. Additionally, one or more embodiments facilitate the tanning control system in customizing the sorting and packaging of hides based, at least in part, on one or more hide characteristics and/or customer specifications.
US09530158B2 Method, system, and graphic user interface for enabling a customer to access information associated with a hosted user profile
A method, system, GUI, apparatus, and machine-readable media for enabling a customer to access information associated with a hosted user profile via a third party information source are provided. A customer may request information associated with a user profile via a mechanism provided by a third party information source via, for example, a mobile communications device. The customer may be enabled to access the information associated with the hosted user profile and an account associated with the customer may be updated to reflect the access. An account associated with the user may be updated to show the transaction and a statement regarding transactions associated with the user profile may be prepared and presented to the user.
US09530157B2 Method and apparatus for managing multimedia content
The invention includes a system, apparatus, and method for storing media content within a service provider network. The system includes multi-service servers associated with access points adapted to allow end-user devices to access the service provider network. Each multi-service server includes a common storage partition adapted for storing media content and a plurality of end-user storage partitions adapted for maintaining associations to media content. The system includes media servers that communicate with the multi-service servers for providing media content to the multi-service servers. In response to a request for media content received from one of a plurality of end-user devices, the requested media content stored in the common storage partition is associated with a selected one of the end-user storage partitions associated with the end-user. The request for media content is received in response to end-user directed advertisements received at any of the plurality of end-user devices.
US09530146B2 Marketing the use of an acidic soft drink to enhance the efficacy of a gluten-digesting enzyme
This invention relates to a method of marketing a gluten-digesting enzyme supplement comprising providing an effective amount of a gluten-digesting enzyme to a person desirous of maintaining or enhancing gastro intestinal comfort or delaying the onset of gastrointestinal discomfort; or desirous of reducing gluten exposure, and informing the gluten sensitive individuals of the ability to increase the efficacy of the supplement by drinking one serving of an acidic soft drink having a pH in a range from 2 to 3.5. Furthermore, it relates to a kit comprising a gluten-digesting enzyme supplement and instructions for use in combination with an acidic soft drink having a pH in a range from 2 to 3.5.
US09530141B2 Zoning, license, and position matching to provide service
Using a bi-directional transceiver, one can receive or provide a service. Location of the parties associated with respective transceivers is tracked and billing is made accordingly based on factors such as time spent returning to a vehicle, being inside or outside the location, and the like. Further, a location where a job is to be performed is checked for its zoning information to ensure that a person performing the job is not only licensed to perform the job, but licensed to work at a specific zoned location where not all who are licensed in the field are licensed to do so.
US09530138B2 Method and system for authorizing card account transactions by geographic region
A method and system for authorizing card account transactions by geographic region by providing data for a user interface displaying geographic regions and merchant locations each corresponding to the location of a merchant where a transaction using a card account may be initiated, receiving a user interface selection representing a request to authorize or restrict card account transactions, receiving authorization requests for desired transactions, and authorizing or restricting the transactions in accordance with the request.
US09530137B2 Method and apparatus for secure access payment and identification
According to one aspect, the invention provides a system for authenticating identities of a plurality of users. In one embodiment, the system includes a first handheld device including a wireless transceiver which is configured to transmit authentication information, a second device including a wireless receiver, where the second device is configured to receive the authentication information.
US09530112B2 Common conditions for past projects as evidence for success causes
A processor-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product identifies a cause of a level of success in multiple projects from a set of past projects. Multiple artifacts describe conditions associated with each project from a set of past projects, where a cause for a level of success in the past projects is initially unknown. Logic identifies a set of common artifacts in multiple projects from the set of past projects, where the set of common artifacts describes common conditions that are common to all of the multiple projects. Additional logic identifies a level of success experienced by each of the multiple projects. In response to a particular set of projects having a same level of success, common conditions identified by the set of common artifacts are identified as the cause for the same level of success experienced by all of the projects in the particular set of projects.
US09530107B2 Method, apparatus, and system for providing a service
A method and a system for providing a service are provided. In the method for providing the service, a user terminal receives customized information among individuals or group members. The method includes: obtaining tag information by reading a tag attached to an object, the tag information containing a tag code and service data; obtaining service access information from an Object Directory Service (ODS) server when the tag is tagged in a situation, the service access information corresponding to at least one of the obtained tag information and identification information; and receiving a customized information service corresponding to the user terminal by accessing a service providing server in accordance with the service access information.
US09530106B2 System and method for digital multi-lateral proofreading during a meeting
A digital multi-lateral system and method for proofreading a composition during a meeting. The system comprises a multi-screened monitor unit having a first screen and at least one oppositely facing second screen mounted in a common housing, images of a selected composition being viewable simultaneously on the first screen and the at least one second screen, a computer coupled to the monitor unit and provided with a dedicated software module for interfacing with the monitor unit, one or more primary and secondary co-author input devices, and means for transmitting signals generated by each co-author input device to the computer. Correction data is transmitted by a co-author input device to the computer, which transmits corrected image data simultaneously to the first and second screens. In one embodiment, the monitor unit receives VGA data and USB video data from the computer and transmits the same to the first and second screens, respectively.
US09530095B2 Method and system for exploring the associations between drug side-effects and therapeutic indications
A system and method for analyzing chemical data including a processor and one or more classifiers, stored in memory and coupled to the processor, which further includes an indication predictive module configured to predict whether a given chemical treats a particular indication or not and a side effect predictive module configured to predict whether a given chemical causes a side-effect or not. A correlation engine is configured to determine one or more correlations between one or more indications and one or more side effects for the given chemical and a visualization tool is configured to analyze the one or more correlations and to output results of the analysis.
US09530094B2 Jabba-type contextual tagger
Example methods, apparatuses, or articles of manufacture are disclosed that may be implemented, in whole or in part, using one or more computing devices to facilitate or otherwise support one or more processes or operations for a Jabba-type contextual tagger.
US09530091B2 Methods, architecture, and apparatus for implementing machine intelligence and hierarchical memory systems
Sophisticated memory systems and intelligent machines may be constructed by creating an active memory system with a hierarchical architecture. Specifically, a system may comprise a plurality of individual cortical processing units arranged into a hierarchical structure. Each individual cortical processing unit receives a sequence of patterns as input. Each cortical processing unit processes the received input sequence of patterns using a memory containing previously encountered sequences with structure and outputs another pattern. As several input sequences are processed by a cortical processing unit, it will therefore generate a sequence of patterns on its output. The sequence of patterns on its output may be passed as an input to one or more cortical processing units in next higher layer of the hierarchy. A lowest layer of cortical processing units may receive sensory input from the outside world. The sensory input also comprises a sequence of patterns.
US09530079B2 Point spread function classification using structural properties
A method for classifying a test image (16) includes the steps of building a classifier (300), and classifying the test image (16) with the classifier (300). After the test image (16) is classified, the test image (16) can be subsequently processed (e.g. deblurred) with improved accuracy. The classifier (300) can classify and distinguish between PSF features associated with motion blurred images, and PSF features associate with defocus blurred images. The classifier (300) can be built using a plurality of training images (304), and extracting one or more training features from each the training images (304). The PSF features can include image moments of the point spread function, and/or geometric features of the point spread function.
US09530076B2 Method and system for matching an image using normalized feature vectors
A method, system and computer program product for encoding an image is provided. The image that needs to be represented is represented in the form of a Gaussian pyramid which is a scale-space representation of the image and includes several pyramid images. The feature points in the pyramid images are identified and a specified number of feature points are selected. The orientations of the selected feature points are obtained by using a set of orientation calculating algorithms. A patch is extracted around the feature point in the pyramid images based on the orientations of the feature point and the sampling factor of the pyramid image. The boundary patches in the pyramid images are extracted by padding the pyramid images with extra pixels. The feature vectors of the extracted patches are defined. These feature vectors are normalized so that the components in the feature vectors are less than a threshold.
US09530067B2 Method and apparatus for storing and retrieving personal contact information
Method for a wearable device worn by a first user to generate or retrieve a personal contact record when encountering a second user is disclosed. The method of generating the personal contact record includes capturing a facial photograph of the second user and generating a face information; capturing a card photograph of a business card and performing OCR to obtain a card information; retrieving time and location information to obtain an encounter information; and generating the personal contact information. The method of retrieving the personal contact record includes capturing a facial photograph of the second user; searching through a contact database comprising facial images associated with identities of persons, and attempting to match the captured facial photograph with one of the facial images in the contact database to determine the identity of the second user, and providing messages. Wearable devices for performing the above methods are also disclosed.
US09530065B2 Systems and methods for use at a vehicle including an eye tracking device
Systems and methods for a vehicle including an eye tracking device. The systems and methods use input from the eye tracking device. The systems and methods are configured to communicate with a driver based on input from the eye tracking device. For example, the systems and methods are configured to generate indicators on a display based on input from the eye tracking device.
US09530059B2 Personal augmented reality
Image data comprising an image of an environment is received from a mobile video device located at the environment. An image of a marker is extracted from the received image for use in identifying the location of the mobile video device. A location associated with the marker is extracted from a database and the extracted location is sent as the location of the mobile video device. Also received is a request for information about an item in the environment that is of interest to a user of the mobile video device. A location in the environment associated with the item of interest is identified, and the information indicating the location of the item is transmitted to the mobile device for display within an image of the environment on the mobile video device. The item of interest may be displayed as an augmented reality within an image of the environment.
US09530057B2 Maintenance assistant system
A maintenance assistance system and method of operating are provided. The maintenance assistance system may include, but is not limited to, a camera, a speaker, a technician marker, a memory configured to store a location of a plurality of tags and a location of at least one component relative to at least one of the plurality of tags, and a processor communicatively coupled to the camera, the speaker and the memory, the processor configured to receive an indication of one of the components, determine a location of the technician marker relative to the location of the indicated component based upon data from the camera and the location of the indicated component relative to the at least one of the plurality of tags, and output position information to the speaker based upon the determined location of the technician marker relative to the location of the indicated component.
US09530036B2 Methods for monitoring objects in a surgical field
Apparatus and methods for identifying and counting objects having identifiers entering and exiting a surgical field are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus has an entry scanner, a hand held scanner and an exit scanner for generating a detection field and for receiving data which identifies said objects. In another embodiment, the apparatus has a plurality of lower antennas and an upper antenna for generating a detection field and for receiving data which identifies said objects. Various surgical devices with identifiers and methods for preventing electromagnetic coupling between and protecting objects and identifier are also provided. The invention further provides apparatus and methods comprising a handheld scanner and a mat adapted to underlie a patient during a surgical procedure.
US09530031B2 Position detection system
An electromagnetic wave propagation medium 1 extends in the propagation direction of an electromagnetic wave and has an electromagnetic wave propagation space sandwiched between conductors in the direction perpendicular to the electromagnetic wave propagation direction. A base unit 2 and multiple terminals 3 are placed on the electromagnetic wave propagation medium 1. When the position of a terminal 3 is detected, the base unit 2 transmits a position detection signal through the electromagnetic wave propagation medium 1 to the terminal 3. This position detection signal is attenuated more heavily during its propagation through the electromagnetic wave propagation medium 1 than a communication signal for use in normal communication is. The signal strength of the position detection signal drops as it moves away from the base unit 2. Hence the position of each terminal 3 can be detected based on the signal strength of the position detection signal received by each terminal 3.
US09530028B2 Identifiers for mass serialization
An example method includes generating a set of identifiers for a mass serialization; associating one or more of the identifiers of the set of identifiers with an object; and storing the set of identifiers and an association of the one or more identifiers with an object. Each identifier in the set of identifiers may have a representation of at least two different characters. The representation of each identifier in the set may have a predetermined length, and a number of one of the characters in the representation may be within a predefined range.
US09530025B1 System, method and computer program product for controlling access to protected personal information
A computer-based system, method and computer program product for controlling access to protected personal information is disclosed. Protected personal information that is accessible by an information management application program is stored in a computer memory. In response to a request from an authenticated user for information, which includes protected personal information, information is displayed indicating that user has requested protected personal information, but the protected personal information is not displayed. In response to receiving user input requesting access to the protected personal information, a determination is made as to whether the user is authorized to access the requested protected personal information. If so, requested protected personal information is displayed to the user and information is stored relating to the user's access to protected personal information. Otherwise, requested protected personal information is not displayed to the user and information relating to the user's access to protected personal information is not stored.
US09530023B1 Reach objects
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for a row level security. One of the methods includes receiving, by a computer device executing at least part of a functional logic tier of an application, a request from a user for one or more objects present in the functional logic tier. The method includes determining that a type of the requested objects is associated with an object representative of instance level security. The method includes in response to determining that the type is associated with the object, determining access is authorized to at least some of the objects, determining access comprising accessing, by a computer device executing at least part of a data tier of the application, a link data structure that links the user with at least some of the objects. The method also includes providing the at least some of the objects to the user.
US09530021B2 Portable recording medium, system including the portable recording medium, and data recovery method of the portable recording medium
A technique of the present invention includes a storage section for storing contents data and an encryption flag indicating that any one of an encryption recording mode and a non-encryption recording mode is set, an encrypting engine for encrypting contents data using an encryption key when the encryption recording mode is set, and a control section for controlling a storage section so that the encryption key and the encrypted contents data are stored when the encryption recording mode is set. Further, when the setting is changed from the encryption recording mode into the non-encryption recording mode, the control section controls the storage section so that the encryption flag is changed to indicate the setting of the non-encryption recording mode with the continuous storage of the encryption key.
US09530006B2 Method and system for performing a memory safety check of a program written in an unmanaged programming language
A method for performing a memory safety check of a program coded in an unmanaged programming language includes receiving an intermediate representation (IR) of the program and performing a static analysis pass of the IR to generate annotations including a safe pointer and an unsafe pointer. The method further includes removing, during a static analysis pass of the IR, the safe pointer from the annotations, inserting, into the IR using the annotations, a sandbox function call at the unsafe pointer to generate a modified IR, compiling the modified IR to generate an executable version of the program, executing, inside a sandbox framework, the executable version of the program, generating, during runtime and upon reaching the sandbox function call, a metadata entry and an enhanced pointer for atomicity, and comparing, during runtime and upon reaching a use of the unsafe pointer, the metadata entry with the enhanced pointer.
US09530005B2 Techniques for secure data management in a distributed environment
Techniques for secure data management in a distributed environment are provided. A secure server includes a modified operating system that just allows a kernel application to access a secure hard drive of the secure server. The hard drive comes prepackaged with a service public and private key pair for encryption and decryption services with other secure servers of a network. The hard drive also comes prepackaged with trust certificates to authenticate the other secure servers for secure socket layer (SSL) communications with one another, and the hard drive comes with a data encryption key, which is used to encrypt storage of the secure server. The kernel application is used during data restores, data backups, and/or data versioning operations to ensure secure data management for a distributed network of users.
US09530001B2 System and method for below-operating system trapping and securing loading of code into memory
A system for protecting an electronic device against malware includes a memory, an operating system configured to execute on the electronic device, and a below-operating-system security agent. The below-operating-system security agent is configured to trap an attempted access of a resource of the electronic device, access one or more security rules to determine whether the attempted access is indicative of malware, and operate at a level below all of the operating systems of the electronic device accessing the memory. The attempted access includes attempting to write instructions to the memory and attempting to execute the instructions.
US09530000B2 Secure privilege level execution and access protection
The subject disclosure is directed towards using one or more of hardware, a hypervisor, and privileged mode code to prevent system mode code from accessing user mode data and/or running user mode code at the system privilege level, or vice-versa. Also described is (in systems with a hypervisor) preventing non-hypervisor code from running in hypervisor mode or accessing hypervisor-only data, or vice-versa. A register maintained by hardware, hypervisor, or system mode code contains data access and execution polices for different chunks of addressable space with respect to which requesting entities (hypervisor mode code, system mode code, user mode code) have access to or can execute code in a given chunk. When a request to execute code or access data with respect to an address is received, the request is processed to determine to which chunk the address corresponds. The policy for that chunk is evaluated to determine whether to allow or deny the request.
US09529997B2 Centralized platform settings management for virtualized and multi OS systems
A processing device may include a first processor executing an operating system including a configurable setting and an isolated execution environment including a second processor communicatively coupled to the first processor, and a secure store coupled to the second processor to store a setting profile containing a copy of the configurable setting, in which the second processor is to, subsequent to establishing a trust relationship between the isolated execution environment and the operating system, synchronize the configurable setting with the setting profile.
US09529992B2 Security information caching on authentication token
A method of operating a security token to authenticate a user in a multi-factor authentication system is disclosed. The method includes: monitoring user custody of the token, the token having an identifying characteristic representing a possession factor for use through possession factor authentication; during a period of continuous user custody of the token based on the monitoring, obtaining a knowledge factor from a user having the continuous user custody; caching the knowledge factor in a memory of the token; and in response to a second authentication request, retrieving the knowledge factor from the memory to demonstrate to an authentication system knowledge of the knowledge factor, during the period of the continuous user custody.
US09529991B2 Systems and methods for multi-factor remote user authentication
What is disclosed is a handheld multi-factor remote user authentication card device in the form factor of a prior art one factor of “what you have” security card. The handheld multifactor card-device has innovative features that enable this single card device itself to function and accomplish a multifactor remote user authentication of “what you know”, “what you have”, “where you are” and “what you are”, factors to a network. The authentication logic dynamically adjusts what factors are applicable for specific security application enabling a universal remote authentication card-device.
US09529983B2 Solid state memory unit and method for protecting a memory including verification of a sequence of requests for access to physical blocks
A solid state memory unit and method for protecting a solid state memory having a microprocessor are disclosed. The method may include receiving user-input requests for access to blocks of the solid state memory, the blocks of the solid state memory storing ordered virtual files. The user-input requests may have a respective sequence of virtual file position values. The method may include comparing the sequence of virtual file position values with a predetermined sequence of virtual file position values to verify the user-input requests, and when the sequence of virtual file position values equals the predetermined sequence of virtual file position values, responding to, via the microprocessor, requests for access to the blocks of the solid state memory to decrypt and transfer requested files stored. The predetermined sequence may correspond to a predetermined sequence of requests for access to files that can be selected by the user.
US09529980B2 Deduplication of end user license agreements
In a computer-implemented method for deduplicating a plurality of instances of end user licensing agreements (EULAs), an end user licensing agreement (EULA) from a software bundle is accessed. Only a single instance of the EULA is displayed such that there is a deduplication of a plurality of instances of EULAs.
US09529978B2 Cloud E-DRM system and service method thereof
A digital rights management system and a service method thereof, and an enterprise digital rights management (E-DRM) system for document security installed in a cloud system are provided. The present systems can be implemented to be used in a variety of environments without being affected by the type or environment of a user terminal using a method which allows the client to use a contents data through a virtual machine system, and the E-DRM system is configured to include a cloud system, a security system and a virtual machine system.
US09529975B2 Medical information processing system and medical information processing apparatus
A medical information processing system including an input part, a sound analyzer, a state detector, determination information storage, and an association processor. Upon receiving plural types of medical information via sound input respectively, the medical information processing system can distinguish the plural types of medical information by a simple operation. The input part receives the medical information via sound input. The sound analyzer analyzes the received sound and converts it into character strings. The state detector detects plural states of the input part, respectively. The determination information storage stores in advance determination information in which each of plural states is related to types of information making up a medical record. The association processor identifies the type corresponding to the detected state based on the determination information, and relates the information indicating the identified type with the character strings converted from the sound input.
US09529968B2 System and method of integrating mobile medical data into a database centric analytical process, and clinical workflow
The present invention provides a system and method of integrating mobile medical data into a database centric analytical process, and clinical workflow. This includes a method comprising: integrating smartphone and digital camera data into a clinical database management system comprising a database association and a clinical workflow based on a per dictum, including clinical session and procedural data and metadata, and generally involving shared communication of text data, and photographic and video/audio data sets associated with a patient file through a secured workflow series.
US09529952B1 Speculative circuit design component graphical user interface
In one embodiment, a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium, includes instructions to receive a first circuit design, determine one or more variations of the first circuit design using register retiming with speculative circuit design changes, determine one or more performance improvements of the variations when fed clock signals over the first circuit design, determine one or more tradeoffs of the one or more variations of the first circuit design in comparison to the first circuit design, display a summary of the one or more variations of the first circuit design, the one or more performance improvements, and the one or more tradeoffs, and provide a user-selectable user interface element to enable selection of the first circuit design, at least one of the one or more variations of the first circuit design, or a combination thereof.
US09529946B1 Performance estimation using configurable hardware emulation
An integrated circuit can include a processor operable to execute program code and an Intellectual Property (IP) modeling block. The IP modeling block can include a first port through which the IP modeling block receives first modeling data and a second port coupled to the processor through which the first IP modeling block communicates with the processor during emulation. The first IP modeling block also can include a power emulation circuit. The power emulation circuit is configured to consume a variable amount of power as specified by the first modeling data received via the first port.
US09529943B2 Sizing application for a toilet bowl trapping device
A method, an apparatus and a system for sizing a trapping device for trapping non-dispersing cloths and/or other materials in a toilet bowl and/or a hopper sink are disclosed. A computer device may be used to implement the method for sizing one or more trapping devices for installation at a facility, such as a medical institution. The computer device may be configured to determine a configuration of a trapway for each of one or more toilet bowls and/or hopper sinks at the facility. After determining the configuration, the computer device may determine a size of a trapping device corresponding to the determined configuration of each of the one or more trapways.
US09529938B2 Unified file search
The unified file search may be performed by a user device. The user device includes a processor and a memory. The memory includes code segments that when executed by the processor cause the processor to generate a search parameter; generate a first search metadata based on data stored in the memory and the search parameter, the first search metadata representing the data stored in the memory; generate a search request based on the search parameter; transmit the search request to at least one associated remote data storage resource; receive a second search metadata from the at least one associated remote data storage resource, the second search metadata representing data stored in the at least one associated remote data storage resource; and generate a unified search metadata including the first search metadata and the second search metadata.
US09529933B2 Dynamic assignment of business logic based on schema mapping metadata
Provided are techniques for dynamic assignment of business logic based on schema mapping metadata. A first transformation is performed using a simplified map and a structural transformation map that maps attributes between a source system and a target system to generate simplified map data that includes source attribute and target attribute pairs. A document that includes combined data is generated using the simplified map data and source system metadata containing contextual values of the source system. A second transformation is performed to generate transformed contextual metadata containing contextual values for the target system using a contextual metadata transformation map and the combined data.
US09529925B2 Method of displaying search results
A system and method are provided that display search results and user location on a map. A floor selector interface may be displayed with the map. The floor selector interface may include one or more floor selectors, each of which correspond to a floor in a multi-story building. Upon selection of a floor selector, first search result and location indicators may be displayed transparently or semi-transparently to indicate whether the user or the search results are on the selected floor. If the user or the search results are on a non-selected floor, such indicators may be displayed differently, such as with a different transparency. The floor selector interface may also include second search result and location identifiers. Such second identifiers may be displayed at particular floor selectors corresponding to the present elevation of the user and search results, respectively.
US09529923B1 Methods and apparatus for a distributed database within a network
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an instance of a distributed database at a first compute device configured to be included within a set of compute devices that implement the distributed database. The apparatus also includes a processor configured to define a first event linked to a first set of events. The processor is configured to receive, from a second compute device from the set of compute devices, a signal representing a second event (1) defined by the second compute device and (2) linked to a second set of events. The processor is configured to identify an order associated with a third set of events based at least one a result of a protocol. The processor is configured to store in the instance of the distributed database the order associated with the third set of events.
US09529919B2 Traffic driver for suggesting stores
A system and method for providing a suggested store at or through which to purchase a product or service. When a user enters a query for a product or service into a user interface, the system may use the query as a search argument to search files to find one or more pictures illustrating information about a product or service represented by the query. The picture could illustrate where the queried product or service may be purchased. Auto-complete processes may also be used to process the query as it is being entered, to generate an auto-suggestion key word based on fewer than all the letters of the query, to use as a search argument for the search. Both the query and the auto-suggestion key word may be used as search arguments to find the relevant picture in a variety of search logic sequences to provide the picture to the user.
US09529915B2 Search results based on user and result profiles
A method includes receiving a search query from a user at a search engine. The method also includes performing a search responsive to the search query to obtain a set of results. The set of results is ordered at least partially based on a distance between a profile of a user and a profile of each result in the ordered set of results. At least one profile of a result is based on an aggregate of a plurality of user profiles.
US09529905B2 Information processing device, information processing method, program, and information storage medium
To be able to change settings for selective changing control of a program as a target for sound input/output flexibly. A background music (BGM) sound selection managing section obtains priority values set to a plurality of programs, respectively. The BGM sound selection managing section performs control such that a program selected from among the plurality of programs on a basis of the obtained priority values becomes a target for selective sound input/output from/to an outside.
US09529900B2 Visual interface browser
The present disclosure describes viewing visual interface documents through a visual interface browser. A visual interface browser is caused to be displayed on a user device. A visual interface document representing a technical interface specification is retrieved from a repository in response to user selection of a technical interface icon through the visual interface browser. Sub-document technical data associated with the visual interface document is retrieved from the repository. The visual interface document including sub-document technical data is caused to be displayed on the user device. Notes associated with the visual interface document and associated with an authenticated user of the user device are caused to be displayed on the user device.
US09529897B2 Computer-implemented method and system for combining keywords into logical clusters that share similar behavior with respect to a considered dimension
A computer-implemented method and system for combining keywords into logical clusters that share a similar behavior with respect to a considered dimension are disclosed. Various embodiments are operable to order a list of keywords from high activity to low activity, partition the list into at least two sets, a head partition including keywords with an activity level above a predefined threshold, a tail partition including the remainder of the keywords in the list, model the keywords in the head partition based on a set of variables, score the keywords in the head partition based on the modeling, and cluster head partition keywords with tail partition keywords having at least one common variable into at least one keyword cluster.
US09529895B2 Method and system for discovering dynamic relations among entities
Method, system, and programs for detecting dynamic relationship and discovering dynamic events. Data from a first data source is first received. At least one dynamic relation candidate is identified and each dynamic relation candidate involves multiple entities. The at least one dynamic relation candidate is identified based on temporal properties with respect to the entities exhibited in the data from the first data source. Dynamic relations are then extracted by corroborating the temporal properties of the entities involved in the at least one dynamic relation candidate with that of the same entities exhibited in data from a second data source. Then, a dynamic event that gives rise to the dynamic relations among different entities is detected.
US09529877B1 Method for identifying correspondence between a COBOL copybook or PL/1 include file and a VSAM or sequential dataset
A method for matching format defining data structures with data-containing structures involves analyzing attributes of data-containing structures; analyzing format defining data structures using record level metrics comprising record level consistency values, record uninitialized data values and record match values; identifying a set of data-containing structures containing data elements having formats substantially corresponding to a format defining data structure and using file level metrics, based upon results of the record level metrics; ranking the set based upon correspondence between one or more of: a) data types within the set and data types within the format defining data structures, or b) values within the set and definitions within the format defining data structures, to obtain a subset that may correspond to at least one of the format defining data structures; and identifying a format defining data structure usable to access a data-containing structure and thereby obtain valid data therefrom.
US09529876B2 Verification of transformed content
A computer manages methods for determining accurate document transformation by rendering the source document into a non-rasterized format, where the non-rasterized format is a rendered source document. The computer rendering the target document into a non-rasterized format, where the non-rasterized format is a rendered target document. The computer comparing one or more aspects of the rendered source document to corresponding one or more aspects of the rendered target document. The computer determining, based, at least in part, on the compared one or more aspects, whether or not the source document was accurately transformed to the target document.
US09529874B2 Verification of transformed content
A computer manages methods for determining accurate document transformation by rendering the source document into a non-rasterized format, where the non-rasterized format is a rendered source document. The computer rendering the target document into a non-rasterized format, where the non-rasterized format is a rendered target document. The computer comparing one or more aspects of the rendered source document to corresponding one or more aspects of the rendered target document. The computer determining, based, at least in part, on the compared one or more aspects, whether or not the source document was accurately transformed to the target document.
US09529872B2 Asynchronous data processing
A method, a system, and computer-readable medium for processing of data are disclosed. An acknowledgement is received to store business object data. Based on the acknowledgement, an indication that the business object data is stored in a repository is generated. Processing of the business object data to enable storage in the repository continues while generating such indication.
US09529870B1 Methods for linking an electronic media work to perform an action
A method including the steps of: receiving, by a computer system including at least one computer, a first electronic media work uploaded from a first electronic device; extracting one or more features from the first electronic media work; linking the first electronic media work with a reference electronic media work identifier associated with a reference electronic media work to generate correlation information using an approximate nearest neighbor search; storing the correlation information; receiving, from a second electronic device, a query related to the first electronic media work; correlating the query with action information related to an action to be performed and associated with the reference electronic media work identifier based at least in part on the correlation information; generating machine-readable instructions based upon the action information; and providing to the second electronic device, the machine-readable instructions to be used in performing the action.
US09529869B2 Converting text content to a set of graphical icons
A method, system and program product for analyzing textual information and providing a visual representative of a summary of such textual information in the form of a ranked list of icons. A text to icon engine is used that takes as input a textual document. A plurality of icons are each associated to a specific rule such that when the text to icon engine processes textual input, it will apply the rules associated with the icons and return a value that represents how much the text belongs to a specific icon.
US09529868B1 Document processing system and method
A system comprises a data storage system, data analysis logic, and user interface logic. The data analysis logic is configured to analyze the documents and to identify documents that satisfy search criteria received from a user. The user interface logic is configured to generate a user interface. The user interface logic is also configured to generate a plurality of charts for display to the user. The user can interact with the charts to specify modified search criteria. The user interface logic is configured to receive modified search criteria from the user via one of the charts and update the remaining charts to reflect the modified search criteria.
US09529852B1 Selecting a template for a content item
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for selecting a template for a content item. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a content item request that includes context data. A content item that is eligible to be presented in response to the content item request is identified. A determination is made that the content item includes a template variable that is resolved based on the context data. A template feed including a set of templates is identified based on the template variable. A template is selected from the template feed for the content item. The template can be selected based on the context data. The selected template is populated with content for the content item to create a formatted content item. The formatted content item is provided in response to the content item request.
US09529837B2 Systems and methods involving a multi-pass algorithm for high cardinality data
This disclosure describes methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for calculating a summary statistic. Calculating the summary statistic can be performed by identifying multiple subsets of a set of variable observations and assigning the subsets to grid-computing devices such that no two of the subsets are assigned to a same one of the grid-computing devices. A parallel processing operation that involves multiple processing phases at each of the grid-computing devices is then coordinated. The parallel processing operation includes each of the grid-computing devices inventorying the respectively assigned subset and generating inventory information representative of the respectively assigned subset. Subsequently, the inventory information generated by the grid-computing devices is received, and a summary statistic is determined by synthesizing the received inventory information.
US09529836B1 Managing disjoint-or trees
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for managing disjoint-or trees. One of the methods includes determining that a disjoint-or tree occupies more memory than a maximum memory limit. One or more elements of the disjoint-or tree are selected for removal. If a particular leaf element selected for removal has a parent element with a status indicator of complete, data of the particular leaf element is added to a compound leaf element, the compound leaf element being a child element of the parent element and having data associated with the particular leaf element and one or more other sibling leaf elements. The particular leaf element is then removed from the disjoint-or tree without propagating changes associated with removing the particular leaf element to all the ancestors of the particular leaf element.
US09529829B1 System and method to facilitate the use of processed data from a storage system to perform tasks
A system and method for facilitating the use of use processed data from a storage system to perform one or more tasks are disclosed. For example, the method can include identifying data, stored within a storage system, and needed to perform a task. Such data can be stored in a processed form, as a result of such data having been previously processed by the storage system. A determination is made to determine whether the identified data is stored in a processed form. If so, a subsequent determination is made to determine whether the data in the processed form is usable to perform the task. If the data in the processed form is usable to perform the task, a request is generated to request the data in the processed form. The processed data can then be used to perform the task.
US09529827B2 Change value database system and method
A method for constructing a change database reduces the footprint of a standard longitudinal data database and increases the manageability of the data for many applications. The change database concatenates representations of a time period for the change, the direction of the change, and the value of the change into a single string. The change database is constructed by creating foundation files from formatted historical data, constructing change files from these foundation files, and iteratively creating master files that encapsulate the change data.
US09529824B2 System and method for multi resolution and multi temporal image search
A system for modular image mining and search, comprising a plurality of image capture devices, a search engine, an indexing engine, a database, and user interface software. A plurality of image capture devices capture images and store them to a database. The indexing engine indexes images to create image data for each image with associated metadata and stores the information to the database. The interface software is used to request search queries via a search engine. The search engine accesses the image data to find images or parts of images that satisfy the search query.
US09529820B2 Automated content tracking and conversion
Source file information is associated with source file content in response to a copy operation of the source file content from a source file. An automated conversion of the source file content to a form compatible with a target file is performed based upon differences between the source file information and target file information in response to a paste operation.
US09529818B2 Sharing and synchronizing electronically stored files
Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to architectures, methods and systems and structures that facilitate the sharing and synchronization of electronically stored files among and between cloud entities and a number of computers, systems, devices and/or users. One particular exemplary architectural aspect includes the concurrent determination of file system changes within a cloud file system and a client file system, the serial ordering of necessary file system operations in response to the determined file system changes, and the concurrent execution of file system operations such that the cloud file system and the client computer file system are synchronized.
US09529817B2 Pro-active self-healing in a distributed file system
Techniques for pro-active self-healing in a distributed file system are disclosure herein. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided. The method comprises prior to detecting an access request by a client application to an image on a storage server, identifying, by a self-healing daemon executed by a processing device, a first region of the image comprising stale data. A partial lock on the image is acquired. The partial lock prevents access to the first region of the image. Responsive to acquiring the partial lock, the self-healing daemon provides access to a second region of the image file comprising data other than the stale data.
US09529816B2 Arbitrating among concurrent editors of shared documents
A method for managing an electronic document (ED) concurrently accessed by multiple editors includes receiving a first chunk size for the ED, partitioning the ED into chunks, and receiving, from an editor, a selection of a first chunk, where the first chunk is of the first chunk size. The method further includes locking the first chunk in response to determining that the first chunk is available for editing, sending, to the first editor, a first message indicating that the first chunk has been locked, and sending, to a second editor, a second message indicating that the first chunk has been locked.
US09529813B2 Computer-aided numerical control method and system
The invention discloses a computer-aided numerical control method and system, and changed the computer numerical control (CNC) to the computer-aided numerical control (CANC). Based on discrete geometry and discrete kinematics, the invention is constructed a technical solution of a related data flow file, it is completely solved the optimization of discrete position information and the axis smoothness. The invention is used to manufacture digital control information. Through the three-dimensional graphical interface, therefore completely achieved the software implementation for R&D of CNC technologies and reconfiguration of CNC systems, and is created an open platform for R&D of CNC technologies and CNC systems. The related data flow file, as a computer program product, will be commercializing digital control information, and then will be expediting a new industry namely digital control information manufacture industry.
US09529810B2 Methods of synchronizing files including synchronized hash map linked lists and related data processing nodes
Synchronizing hard link files on master and replica servers includes providing master and replica server hard link file snapshots. The master server hard link file snapshot includes a listing of hard link file names from a root directory of the master server. The replica server hard link file snapshot includes a listing of hard link file names from a root directory of the replica server. The master server hard link file snapshot and the replica server hard link file snapshot are compared. A synchronized hash map linked list may be generated responsive to the comparison. The synchronized hash map linked list includes a listing of group identifications corresponding to physical data files at the master server. For each group identification in the synchronized hash map linked list, the synchronized hash map linked list includes at least a hard link file name from the root directory of the master server.
US09529805B2 Systems and methods for providing dynamic file system awareness on storage devices
Systems and methods for providing awareness of a host file system on a storage device are described. In one embodiment, a storage device includes a host interface and a file awareness block. The host interface provides an interface between a host and the storage device. The file awareness block provides an awareness of the host file system to the storage device.
US09529799B2 System and method for document driven actions
A system and method are disclosed for tracking documents in a computing environment, including documents stored locally on computing devices. A monitoring module stored on a computing device may determine that a user is trying to open a document stored locally on the computing device and communicate a signature associated with the document to a document tracking system. A document tracking system may compare the signature with a set of stored signatures to see if the document corresponds to a document already being tracked. If the document is not being tracked already, the document tracking system may upload the document into the system, send a link to a newer version or determine one or more actions to be performed on the document based on the signature.
US09529789B2 User interface for creating a spreadsheet data summary table
A graphical user interface for creating a data summary table includes a field pane including a list of a plurality of fields, and a layout pane including a plurality of zones. The zones represent areas of the data summary table, and the layout pane allows a field of the plurality of fields from the field pane to be added to a first zone of the zones. A data summary table is updated upon the field being added to the layout pane.
US09529783B2 Live previews for multitasking and state management
Invoked states of one or more activities invoked in a web application is detected. The web application is configured to display, in a foreground, a current activity on a client device. On the client device, display of a multitask preview interface that includes one or more live previews is caused. Each live preview of the one or more live previews corresponds to an invoked state of an activity of the one or more activities. The one or more live previews includes a particular live preview that corresponds to a particular invoked state of a particular activity of the one or more activities. Selection of the particular live preview is detected. In response to detecting selection of the particular live preview, the current activity displayed in the foreground of the web application is switched to the particular state of the particular activity.
US09529781B2 Apparatus and method for document format conversion
An apparatus and method for document format conversion. The apparatus includes a document parsing unit for parsing a fixed layout document to acquire path primitives of the document; a path grouping unit for dividing the path primitives into groups to generate path groups; a font file generating unit for acquiring path groups that are used to represent characters and generating font files corresponding to the path groups, wherein if there are two or more path groups representing the same character, only one font file is generated and associated with the multiple path groups representing the same character; a document generating unit for generating a converted document using all font files that have been generated. With the above, the problem of data redundancy in fixed layout documents is solved; further, the incorrect rending in reflowing processes may be solved to achieve better display effects.
US09529768B2 Computer system including CPU or peripheral bridge directly connected to a low voltage differential signal channel that communicates serial bits of a peripheral component interconnect bus transaction in opposite directions
A computer system for multi-processing purposes. The computer system has a console comprising a first coupling site and a second coupling site. Each coupling site comprises a connector. The console is an enclosure that is capable of housing each coupling site. The system also has a plurality of computer modules, where each of the computer modules is coupled to a connector. Each of the computer modules has a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a graphics controller coupled to the processing unit, and a mass storage device coupled to the processing unit. Each of the computer modules is substantially similar in design to each other to provide independent processing of each of the computer modules in the computer system.
US09529765B2 Integrated circuit (IC) with reconfigurable digital voltage regulator fabric
Described is an apparatus which comprises: a plurality of bridges which are operable to drive respective signals for one or more power supply rails; a plurality of controllers; and a main controller to couple one or more controllers from the plurality of controllers to one or more bridges from the plurality of bridges.
US09529763B2 Sensor systems and methods utilizing adaptively selected carrier frequencies
A sensor system utilizing adaptively selected carrier frequencies is disclosed. The system includes a system bus, a bus master, and a sensor. The system bus is configured to transfer power and data. The bus master is coupled to the system bus and is configured to provide power to the bus and receive data from the bus. The sensor is coupled to the system bus and is configured to transfer data on the bus using an adaptively selected carrier frequency.
US09529761B2 Data transfer apparatus, host apparatus, data transfer system, and communication mode setting method
A device apparatus carries out data transfer between a host-side device communication unit that supports a plurality of host-side communication modes and that communicates with a host apparatus and a device communication unit that supports a plurality of network-side communication modes respectively matching communication speeds of the plurality of host-side communication modes and that communicates with a communication device and switches a host-side communication mode that is used by the host-side device communication unit, in response to switching of a network-side communication mode that is used by the device communication unit.
US09529759B1 Multipath I/O in a computer system
Multipath I/O in a computer system includes: receiving asynchronously, for a single I/O operation by a memory controller from a plurality of I/O adapters, a request to access a memory page, where each request to access the memory page includes an adapter-specific tag; and for each request received by the memory controller: determining, by the memory controller, whether an adapter-specific tag has been assigned to the memory page; if an adapter-specific tag has not been assigned to the memory page: assigning, by the memory controller, the received adapter-specific tag to the memory page; and allowing, by the memory controller, access to the memory page; and if an adapter-specific tag has been assigned to the memory page, granting access to the memory page only when the received adapter-specific tag is the adapter-specific tag assigned to the memory page.
US09529758B1 Multiple port configuration
An method of configuring an electronic device having a plurality of serial ports, each of which is configurable to act in either a host port or a slave port mode, includes entering a port configuration state at the device, and, in this port configuration state detecting a trigger event and configuring each of the serial ports of the device in a defined one of its host port or slave port modes. The trigger event may be the proximity of one of the serial ports of the electronic device to a port of another external device in its slave mode. In response, the proximate serial port of the electronic device may assume its host port mode, and the remaining serial ports of said electronic device may assume the slave port mode.
US09529755B2 Apparatus and method of recognizing external device in a communication system
An apparatus and a method are provided. The apparatus includes a connector to connect with an electronic device external to the apparatus, and a processor configured to identify a connection with the electronic device via the connector, receive, using a first communication scheme, a message from the electronic device based at least in part on the identifying, determine, based at least in part on the message, whether the electronic device supports a second communication scheme, and establish a communication link corresponding to the second communication scheme with the electronic device based at least in part on a determination that the electronic device supports the second communication scheme.
US09529752B2 Method and apparatus for communication between a vehicle based computing system and a remote application
A vehicle-based computing apparatus includes a computer processor in communication with persistent and non-persistent memory. The apparatus also includes a local wireless transceiver in communication with the computer processor and configured to communicate wirelessly with a wireless device located at the vehicle. The processor is operable to receive, through the wireless transceiver, a connection request sent from a nomadic wireless device, the connection request including at least a name of an application seeking to communicate with the processor. The processor is further operable to receive at least one secondary communication from the nomadic device, once the connection request has been processed. The secondary communication is at least one of a speak alert command, a display text command, a create phrase command, and a prompt and listen command.
US09529749B2 Data bus inversion (DBI) encoding based on the speed of operation
A method for data transmission is described. A signaling speed of operation of an electronic device is determined. A data bus inversion algorithm is selected based on the signaling speed of operation. The selected data bus inversion algorithm is used to encode data. The encoded data and a data bus inversion flag are sent to a receiver over a transmission medium.
US09529743B2 Flexible PCIe routing
In some implementations, a riser card can be configured to connect to multiple PCIe connectors on a motherboard of a computing device. The riser card can be configured to route signals from an accessory installed in the riser to the CPU of the computing device through multiple PCIe connectors. The riser card can be configured to connect to a PCIe connector on the motherboard using cabling.
US09529738B2 Method and system for sharing content, device and computer-readable recording medium for performing the method
A method and system for sharing content, by which an experience is shared between users in real-time based on an interactive service between devices is provided. The method includes; receiving content-related information from at least one peripheral device reproducing content to be shared while an interactive service is being provided; and transmitting the content-related information to at least one second communication device connected to a first communication device by the interactive service based on the received content-related information.
US09529726B2 Memory device with page emulation mode
In some examples, a memory device is configured to load multiple pages of an internal page size into a cache in response to receiving an activate command and to write multiple pages of the internal page size into a memory array in response to receiving a precharge command. In some implementations, the memory array is arranged to store multiple pages of the internal page size in a single physical row.
US09529718B2 Batching modified blocks to the same dram page
To efficiently transfer of data from a cache to a memory, it is desirable that more data corresponding to the same page in the memory be loaded in a line buffer. Writing data to a memory page that is not currently loaded in a row buffer requires closing an old page and opening a new page. Both operations consume energy and clock cycles and potentially delay more critical memory read requests. Hence it is desirable to have more than one write going to the same DRAM page to amortize the cost of opening and closing DRAM pages. A desirable approach is batch write backs to the same DRAM page by retaining modified blocks in the cache until a sufficient number of modified blocks belonging to the same memory page are ready for write backs.
US09529716B2 Optimizing write and wear performance for a memory
Determining and using the ideal size of memory to be transferred from high speed memory to a low speed memory may result in speedier saves to the low speed memory and a longer life for the low speed memory.
US09529715B2 Hybrid hardware and software implementation of transactional memory access
Embodiments of the invention relate a hybrid hardware and software implementation of transactional memory accesses in a computer system. A processor including a transactional cache and a regular cache is utilized in a computer system that includes a policy manager to select one of a first mode (a hardware mode) or a second mode (a software mode) to implement transactional memory accesses. In the hardware mode the transactional cache is utilized to perform read and write memory operations and in the software mode the regular cache is utilized to perform read and write memory operations.
US09529712B2 Techniques for balancing accesses to memory having different memory types
Embodiments of the present technology are directed toward techniques for balancing memory accesses to different memory types.
US09529708B2 Apparatus for configuring partitions within phase change memory of tablet computer with integrated memory controller emulating mass storage to storage driver based on request from software
A non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) is used in a computer system to perform multiple roles in a platform storage hierarchy, specifically, to replace traditional mass storage that is accessible by an I/O. The computer system includes a processor to execute software and a memory coupled to the processor. At least a portion of the memory comprises a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) that is byte-rewritable and byte-erasable by the processor. The system further comprises a memory controller coupled to the NVRAM to perform a memory access operation to access the NVRAM in response to a request from the software for access to a mass storage.
US09529707B2 Apparatus and method for reducing read-modify-write cycles by combining unaligned write commands
Write commands for a storage device specify write data with either a first data step size or a second data step size. In the former case, the storage device performs a read-modify-write (RMW) cycle which includes reading data with the second data step size. In the latter case, the storage device executes the command in a single write cycle. A command sorting unit sorts received commands into two groups, first commands and second commands, when storing them in a memory. First commands are write commands whose data boundaries do not match with the second data step size. Second commands include write commands whose data boundaries match with the second data step size. A command issuing unit converts first commands into a second command upon predetermined conditions. The command issuing unit issues the second commands to the storage device, in preference to the first commands.
US09529692B2 Memory management tools
The present technology monitors events that allocate and deallocate virtual memory regions in a device, wherein the events include system calls from user space. The system can generate a log of events, and based on the log of events, track regions of virtual memory allocated and deallocated via the events. The system can also record events with corresponding stack traces. Next, the system can group recorded events having matching stack traces to yield event groupings, and instrument functions in a compiled code associated with the process to determine retain counts of respective events associated with the functions. The system can then automatically pair at least one of a first portion of the events and a second portion of the respective events based on the event groupings and the retain counts of the respective events to yield paired events.
US09529691B2 Monitoring and correlating a binary process in a distributed business transaction
A dynamic monitoring process begins with configuring a start and end method to be monitored. The dynamic monitoring process may intercept both the start and end methods as and when the loader is initiated or at runtime to dynamically attach and detach the instrumentation. A loader may then be modified to call a library method upon detection of the start method. The library method may serve as a notification to the start of the method and causes a reflector to retrieve information from the incoming request. The incoming information may include data from which a business transaction name may be determined. The business transaction name is then associated with the monitoring of the particular request. When an exit call is detected, a call may be made to the library for a method which invokes a decorator. The decorator may insert business transaction name and other data into the outgoing call.
US09529686B1 Error protection for bus interconnect circuits
In an approach for detecting faults on a bus interconnect that connects a bus master circuit to bus slave circuits, application program code and fault detection program code are concurrently executed by a bus master circuit. The application program code initiates first bus transactions to the bus slave circuits, and the fault detection program code initiates second bus transactions to the bus slave circuits for detection of faults in data channels of the bus interconnect. An error code generator circuit generates error codes from addresses of the first and second bus transactions. The error codes are transmitted with the first and second bus transactions on address channels of the bus interconnect to addressed ones of the bus slave circuits. Respective error code checker circuits coupled between the bus interconnect and the bus slave circuits determine whether or not the addresses of the bus transactions are correct based on the error codes.
US09529682B2 Managing contingency capacity of pooled resources in multiple availability zones
A network-based services provider may reserve and provision primary resource instance capacity for a given service (e.g., enough compute instances, storage instances, or other virtual resource instances to implement the service) in one or more availability zones, and may designate contingency resource instance capacity for the service in another availability zone (without provisioning or reserving the contingency instances for the exclusive use of the service). For example, the service provider may provision resource instance(s) for a database engine head node in one availability zone and designate resource instance capacity for another database engine head node in another availability zone without instantiating the other database engine head node. While the service operates as expected using the primary resource instance capacity, the contingency resource capacity may be leased to other entities on a spot market. Leases for contingency instance capacity may be revoked when needed for the given service (e.g., during failover).
US09529677B2 Method and system for removing fault applied for machine to machine gateway
Provided are a method and a system for removing a fault applied for an M2M gateway. The method includes: receiving, by an M2M gateway, an automatic code matching command, wherein the automatic code matching command is sent when a communication fault is detected by a sensor; and performing, by the M2M gateway, code matching identification according to the received automatic code matching command, and adding the sensor in a sensor management component of the M2M gateway if code matching is performed successfully. According to the method and the system for removing a fault applied for an M2M gateway according to the disclosure, automatic fault removing between an M2M gateway and a sensor can be realized, and using of the M2M gateway can be recovered. The method for automatically removing a fault applied for an M2M gateway provides three fault removing mechanisms, different functions can be realized on different network elements, an M2M gateway and a sensor with an automatic fault removing function are realized, and the using reliability of the M2M gateway is effectively enhanced.
US09529670B2 Storage element polymorphism to reduce performance degradation during error recovery
A data storage system includes a plurality of storage devices forming a storage array for storing data and associated error correction codes and a controller coupled to the plurality of storage devices. The controller is configured to, responsive to an error in a data element among the data, rebuild the data element from other data elements and an error correction code in the storage array and overwrite the error correction code with the rebuilt data element.
US09529664B2 Using error correcting codes for parity purposes
Software that combines parity bits with error correcting codes (ECC) such that a subset of ECC bits is also used for parity purposes, by performing the following steps: (i) providing a first set of redundant bit(s) in a data block, where the first set of redundant bit(s) is adapted to detect and/or correct errors in the data block; (ii) providing, within the first set of redundant bit(s), a first sub-set of parity bit(s), where the first sub-set of parity bit(s) is adapted to provide single bit error detection for the data block; and (iii) determining, based, at least in part, on a first set of data read requirements, whether to use the first set of redundant bit(s) and/or the first sub-set of parity bit(s) to detect and/or correct potential errors while reading data on the data block.
US09529652B2 Triaging computing systems
Methods and systems are provided for automatically triaging a server cluster of the type including a plurality of linked servers each running a plurality of processes. The method includes: detecting at least one failed process; automatically transmitting an electronic alert message embodying a first error code indicative of the failed process to a unified triage module including a processor and an updatable index table; applying, by the processor, the first error code to the index table. If a matching error code corresponding to the first error code is found in the index table, retrieving a solution code from the index table associated with the matching error code and automatically restarting the failed process using the solution code without human intervention.
US09529644B1 Increasing the efficiency of scheduled and unscheduled computing tasks
One or more processors determine that a user is attempting to execute an unscheduled computing task and estimate the time for execution. One or more processors determine that a computing task is scheduled to execute along with the unscheduled computing task. One or more processors warn the user that the computing task is scheduled to execute along with the unscheduled computing task. One or more processors estimate one or both of: a utilization of processing and a memory consumption for the computing tasks and determine whether a threshold will be exceeded. If the threshold will be exceeded, one or more processors warn the user.
US09529643B2 Method and system for accelerating task control flow
A computing device (e.g., a mobile computing device, etc.) may be configured to may be configured to better exploit the concurrency and parallelism enabled by modern multiprocessor architectures by identifying a sequence of tasks via a task dependency controller, commencing execution of a first task in the sequence of tasks, and setting a value of a register so that each remaining task in the sequence of tasks executes after its predecessor task finishes execution without transferring control to a runtime system of the computing device. The task dependency controller may be a hardware component that is shared by the processor cores and/or otherwise configured to transfer control between tasks executing on different processor cores independent of the runtime system and/or without performing the relatively slow and memory-based inter-task, inter-thread or inter-process communications required by conventional solutions.
US09529639B2 System and method for staging in a cloud environment
A method and system for staging in a cloud environment defines a default stage for integration flows. An integration flow is defined by (a) stages including (i) a live stage to follow the default stage, (ii) additional stages between the default and live stages, and (b) endpoint definitions for the live and additional stages. In response to an instruction to promote the integration flow, the integration flow is load balanced by allocating each stage to execution environment(s). Then, the integration flow is run in the execution environment(s). The load balancing includes, for each stage, (i) retrieving a list of execution environments which are available for execution of stages, (ii) selecting execution environment(s) on which to execute the stage and updating the list of available execution environments to indicate that the selected execution environment(s) is allocated, and (iii) storing the selected execution environment(s) as specific to the stage.
US09529635B2 Systems and methods for configuring and launching automated services to a remote device
Systems and methods of the present solution provide for the delivery of automated services via configurable packages that are selectable on a user interface by a support agent based on entitlement of the user to the services and/or capabilities of the support agent. For example, a centralized service may package a complex set of actions into configurable executable scripts or packages. The centralized service may deliver and execute the packages on the remote device to resolve a customer's issue. The centralized service may provide a user interface for a support agent to select and deliver the package to the remote device. The centralized service may determine whether or not the user is entitled to receive the service or the support agent is qualified to deliver the server represented by the package. If the user is so entitled and/or the support agent is so qualified the centralized service may enable a single button on the user interface selectable by the support agent to deliver the package to the remote device. If the user is not entitled and/or the support agent is not qualified, the centralized service may disable or not provide this button on the user interface.
US09529626B2 Facilitating equitable distribution of thread resources for job types associated with tenants in a multi-tenant on-demand services environment
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for facilitating a fair allocation and usage of thread resources for user messages according to one embodiment in an on-demand services environment. In one embodiment and by way of example, a method includes tracking resource usage associated with a plurality of messages performed and completed in response to requests placed by a user via a user interface at a computing device, where the tracking includes recording an amount of resources consumed by each completed message. The method may further include classifying the plurality of messages into job types based on the tracked resource usage associated with the plurality of messages, and enforcing, based on the classification of the messages, a message selection process to ensure equitable distribution of resources to subsequently received messages.
US09529617B2 Instant virtual machines
A resource management node is provided including a processor and a memory. The memory is coupled to the processor and comprises computer readable program code that when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform operations including creating a recovery virtual machine (VM) for a primary machine for each of a primary machines. The recovery VM is stored in a cache file in a kernel of an operating system. The data in the cache file is stored in a format readable by a virtual hypervisor. The processor is further caused to perform operations including providing the recovery VM from the cache file in the kernel of the operating system upon request when the primary machine fails without conversion of the data in the cache file.
US09529614B2 Automatically bridging the semantic gap in machine introspection
Disclosed are various embodiments that facilitate automatically bridging the semantic gap in machine introspection. It may be determined that a program executed by a first virtual machine is requested to introspect a second virtual machine. A system call execution context of the program may be determined in response to determining that the program is requested to introspect the second virtual machine. Redirectable data in a memory of the second virtual machine may be identified based at least in part on the system call execution context of the program. The program may be configured to access the redirectable data. In various embodiments, the program may be able to modify the redirectable data, thereby facilitating configuration, reconfiguration, and recovery operations to be performed on the second virtual machine from within the first virtual machine.
US09529613B2 Methods and apparatus to reclaim resources in virtual computing environments
Methods and apparatus to reclaim resources in virtual computing environments are described. An example method includes determining, with a processor, if a characteristic of a virtual machine meets a threshold indicating that the virtual machine is inactive, in response to determining that the characteristic meets the threshold, determining, with the processor, if a notification period has expired, and if the notification period has expired, de-provisioning, with the processor, the virtual machine to return computing resources assigned to the virtual machine to a cloud.
US09529602B1 Systems and methods for internet recovery and service
Systems and methods for Internet recovery and service. In some embodiments, an Information Handling System (IHS) may comprise a processor and a Basic I/O System (BIOS) coupled to the processor, the BIOS having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the processor, cause the IHS to: transmit a request to a backend server for a service Operating System (OS), where the request includes an identification (ID) of the IHS that enables the backend server to select two or more of a plurality of service OS components; receive the selected service OS components over a network; assemble the selected service OS components into the service OS; and boot the service OS.
US09529589B2 Distributed parallel build system
This document describes, among other things, systems and methods for managing distributed parallel builds. A computer-implemented method to manage parallel builds, comprises identifying one or more software components in a software project, wherein each software component includes an executable binary file; determining a build configuration for each software component, wherein the build configuration includes a mapping from each software component to one or more build servers; and building each software component using the mapped one or more build servers in the corresponding build configuration, wherein the building includes compiling one or more source files associated with each software component to one or more object files, by distributing the one or more source files to one or more compilation machines.
US09529588B2 Information processing apparatus and network system for updating firmware modules
An information processing apparatus stores configuration information including sets of version information of modules of firmware in the apparatus; obtains, based on the configuration information, firmware information including sets of version information of modules of firmware in a latest version; compares the sets of version information in the configuration information with those in the firmware information, and, when the sets of version information in the configuration information are not coincident with those in the firmware information, determines that it is possible to update the firmware in the apparatus; downloads the firmware in the latest version; and compares the sets of version information in the downloaded firmware with those in the configuration information, and updates only the module of the firmware in the apparatus for which the version information in the downloaded firmware is different from that in the configuration information.
US09529586B1 Differential patching of content
Devices and techniques to incrementally update content associated with an electronic publication are described. A patch generation module may be configured to generate patch data files comprising incremental changes associated with the electronic publication. A differential patch module located on a client device may be configured to obtain the patch data files. The differential patch module may also be configured to compare the patch data files and the electronic publication and identify the differences between the files. Additionally, the differential patch module may be configured to update the changes in the patch data files with the content of the electronic publication. Accordingly, the electronic publication may be updated to include the changes in the patch data files.
US09529575B2 Rasterization of compute shaders
Described are compiler algorithms that partition a compute shader program into maximal-size regions, called thread-loops. The algorithms may remove original barrier-based synchronization yet the thus-transformed shader program remains semantically equivalent to the original shader program (i.e., the transformed shader program is correct). Moreover, the transformed shader program is amenable to optimization via existing compiler technology, and can be executed efficiently by CPU thread(s). A Dispatch call can be load-balanced on a CPU by assigning single or multiple CPU threads to execute thread blocks. In addition, the number of concurrently executing thread blocks do not overload the CPU.
US09529573B2 Graphical user interface generation through use of a binary file
A system for generating and displaying a graphical user interface on a computer screen is described herein. The system includes a receiver component that receives a binary formatted file and a virtual machine that generates a graphical user interface based at least in part upon the binary formatted file. A display component causes the graphical user interface to be displayed on the computer screen.
US09529565B2 Remote control apparatus, method and multimedia system for volume control
Apparatuses, methods and systems are provided for controlling volume of a media system. A remote control is configured to control volume of a media unit and an external device simultaneously or consecutively.
US09529564B2 Assembling frame for display unit and display apparatus
An assembling frame for display units and a display apparatus are provided. The assembling frame comprises: two rectangular side frames disposed opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction, each of top cross beams and bottom cross beams of the two rectangular side frames being provided with at least one first fitting hole extending in a height direction, and each of front side cross beams and rear side cross beams of the two rectangular side frames being provided with at least one second fitting hole extending in the longitudinal direction; at least one front side cross beam connected between two front side vertical posts of the two rectangular side frames; at least one rear side cross beam connected between two rear side vertical posts of the two rectangular side frames; and at least one hanging member mounted to at least one of the front side cross beams for detachably connecting to a back side of the display units. A display apparatus that is arbitrarily extendable in the transverse and/or the longitudinal directions can be formed by using such an assembling frame, and thereby flexibility of application of the display apparatus is improved.
US09529556B2 Information processing apparatus, data processing method, and computer program
When document data cannot be printed and when it is necessary to convert a data format of the document data, a digital multi-function apparatus 110 requests a conversion of the data format to a data conversion apparatus 120. The data conversion apparatus 120 returns the document data after the data format was converted and data format information showing the data format before the conversion to the digital multi-function apparatus 110. The digital multi-function apparatus 110 executes a print processing when the data format identified by the received data format information is a data format of an application which can be printed by itself. If NO, the apparatus 110 does not execute the print processing.
US09529555B2 Image forming apparatus, and method in which output destination of print job is changed according to whether user authentication is done, and printing system including terminal device and image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an interface section, a data storage section, an input section, an authentication section, and an image forming section. The interface section receives a print job from a terminal device. The print job is assigned terminal identification information that identifies the terminal device. The data storage section stores the print job. In accordance with whether or not the authentication section positively authenticates a user before a specified time elapses from the interface section receiving the print job, the interface section outputs the print job stored by the data storage section to the image forming section or the terminal device, and the data storage section deletes the print job stored.
US09529538B1 Virtual accounting container for supporting small volumes of data
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, computer program product, and system for storing small volumes of data. The method includes creating a container within a storage disk. The method includes distributing data evenly between storage disks. A partition is created within the container. Data is received and stored in the partition, wherein the partition is at least as large as the data. The method may also include setting an offset associated with the partition to allow for partition expansion.
US09529524B2 Methods and graphical user interfaces for editing on a portable multifunction device
Methods and graphical user interfaces for editing on a portable multifunction device with a touch screen display are disclosed. While displaying an application interface of an application, the device detects a multitouch edit initiation gesture on the touch screen display. In response to detection of the multitouch edit initiation gesture, the device displays a plurality of user-selectable edit option icons in an area of the touch screen display that is independent of a location of the multitouch edit initiation gesture. The device also displays a start point object and an end point object to select content displayed by the application in the application interface.
US09529519B2 Application programming interfaces for gesture operations
At least certain embodiments of the present disclosure include an environment with user interface software interacting with a software application to provide gesture operations for a display of a device. A method for operating through an application programming interface (API) in this environment includes transferring a scaling transform call. The gesture operations include performing a scaling transform such as a zoom in or zoom out in response to a user input having two or more input points. The gesture operations also include performing a rotation transform to rotate an image or view in response to a user input having two or more input points.
US09529513B2 Two-hand interaction with natural user interface
Two-handed interactions with a natural user interface are disclosed. For example, one embodiment provides a method comprising detecting via image data received by the computing device a context-setting input performed by a first hand of a user, and sending to a display a user interface positioned based on a virtual interaction coordinate system, the virtual coordinate system being positioned based upon a position of the first hand of the user. The method further includes detecting via image data received by the computing device an action input performed by a second hand of the user, the action input performed while the first hand of the user is performing the context-setting input, and sending to the display a response based on the context-setting input and an interaction between the action input and the virtual interaction coordinate system.
US09529507B2 Massive model visualization in PDM systems
Systems and methods for massive model visualization in product data management (PDM) systems. A method includes storing a database for a partially-unconfigured product data structure that includes configured components and unconfigured components in a product data management (PDM) server system. The method includes responding to component identifier requests from a client system by sending requested component identifiers from the product data structure to the client system, wherein the component identifier requests correspond to visible components of an assembly represented by the product data structure. The method includes transmitting geometric data to the client system, the geometric data corresponding to configured occurrences of the product data structure associated with the requested component identifiers.
US09529502B2 Integrated dispensing terminal and systems and methods for operating
A user is enabled to initiate a user experience through use of a first device. Information is sent to the first device in support of the user experience. Input is receive from the user. One of termination of the user experience and transferring of the user experience to a second device is selected in response to receipt of input.
US09529499B2 Morphable pad for tactile control
A system and method are disclosed for a morphable pad and display configured for tactile control. The system comprises a display for displaying a user interface comprising a layout of vehicle control features. The display is configured to highlight a portion of the layout associated with a received highlight input, and to update the layout based on a received selection input. A morphable pad is connected to the display and comprises an array of switches. Each switch is configured to receive highlight input and selection input. The switches are also configured to adjust in tactile feel to match the layout, and to reconfigure in tactile feel responsive to a change in the layout.
US09529498B2 Input processing apparatus and method using a user interface
An input processing apparatus and method using a user interface is provided. A display unit provides visual information on operation of the terminal, and a control unit controls the terminal to display a dialog configured to receive an input of a command and to perform an operation corresponding to an input command if the command corresponding to the dialog is input through an auxiliary input region on the display unit other than a region where the dialog is displayed.
US09529497B2 Apparatus, method, and medium for providing user interface for file transmission
Disclosed are an apparatus, method, and medium for providing a user interface for file transmission. The apparatus includes a motion perception (recognition) module perceiving (recognizing) a motion input to the user interface and identifying a position of the perceived (recognized) motion, a motion execution module executing a motion corresponding to the perceived motion and the identified position of the perceived motion and modifying components of the user interface according to the executed motion, and a communication module transmitting a file to a transmission target based on the perceived motion and the identified position of the perceived motion. The components of the user interface may include a file list region, a transmission target region, and an execution region.
US09529491B2 Screen display method and electronic device supporting same
Methods and apparatuses are provided for displaying a screen on an electronic device. A locked screen is displayed on which at least one object is arranged. A location is determined on the locked screen at which event information corresponding to an event is displayed, based on an attribute of the at least one object, when the event occurs.
US09529486B2 Methods and apparatus for providing a digital illustration system
A non-transitory processor-readable medium storing code representing instructions to be executed by a processor to receive a set of data elements associated with a user-defined content having a content type. The processor interpolates the set of data elements to produce a first set of content data based on a filter domain associated with the user-defined content. The processor further refines the first set of content data based, at least in part, on the content type to produce a second set of content data. The processor also sends a signal representing the second set of content data such that the user-defined content is displayed based on the second set of content data.
US09529485B2 Trace pattern for touch-sensing application
One embodiment of a capacitive sensor array comprises a plurality of row sensor elements including a first row sensor element, a plurality of column sensor elements including a first column sensor element, and a plurality of unit cells, wherein a first unit cell contains an intersection between the first row sensor element and the first column sensor element, and wherein a ratio between 1) a boundary length between the first row sensor element and the first column sensor element within the first unit cell and 2) a perimeter of the first unit cell is greater than √{square root over (2)}/2.
US09529477B2 Touch screen panel using digitally encoded light
Techniques are described for determining a contact location on a touch screen panel. The techniques transmit an optical signal that includes digital bits through the touch screen, and determine for which digital bits the optical power level reduced. Based on the determined digital bits, the techniques determine the contact location on the touch screen panel.
US09529473B2 Electronic device, electrostatic capacitance sensor and touch panel
When an excitation frequency of a touch panel is coincident with or in the vicinity of a frequency of external noise, noise cannot be removed by a bandpass filter. Also when a touch detecting operation period is limited to a short period of time such as a non-address period, frequency resolution is reduced and a noise removal effect of averaging is reduced, so that an S/N ratio is decreased. The electronic apparatus of the present invention includes a sensor system 101, an excitation generating unit 102 which generates an intermittent sine wave signal and applies the same to the sensor system, and a demodulation unit 105 which demodulates an amplitude modulated signal which is an output of the sensor system, in which the demodulation unit generates a demodulated signal D(t) using both a response x1(t) of the sensor system in a period when the excitation generating unit outputs a sine wave and a response z1(t) of the sensor system in a period, at least either immediately before or immediately after the above-mentioned period, when the excitation generating unit does not output a sine wave.
US09529472B2 Touch circuit and method for driving the same, array substrate, touch display device
By providing a signal transmitting module and a light-controlled module in a touch circuit, and when a light irradiating the light-controlled module changes caused by a touch region of a panel being touched in a scanning cycle, the light-controlled module controls the signal transmitting module to be in a first state in a next scanning cycle, otherwise controls the signal transmitting module to be in a second state in the next scanning cycle, in the first state, the signal transmitting module can transmit a signal transmitted by the first gate line to a signal line as a touch sensing signal, in the second state, the signal transmitting module is in an off-state, so that a signal transmitting line between the first gate line and the signal line is disconnected.
US09529467B2 Touch display circuit, driving method thereof, array substrate and display apparatus
The present disclosure discloses a touch display circuit, a driving method thereof, an array substrate and a display apparatus, which are capable of reducing a process during a production procedure of a touch display product, saving a cost while increasing an aperture ratio of the produce and added values. The touch display circuit includes: a touch unit and a display unit which are connected with each other; a first scan line, a second scan line, a third scan line, a signal control line, a data line, a first level terminal and a second level terminal, which are connected with the display unit; and the second scan line, the third scan line and a signal collecting line, which are connected with the touch unit. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to a manufacture of a display.
US09529456B2 Pointer, position detection apparatus and position detection method
A position detection apparatus of the electrostatic coupling type is provided, to detect not only a position of a pointer but also information other than the position information such as, for example, pointer pressure or side switch information. The pointer transmits two codes such that a pressure applied to a pen tip is associated with a time difference between the two codes. A position detector carries out a correlation matching operation between signals generated in reception conductors and correlation calculation codes corresponding to the two codes, to thereby detect a position on a sensor section pointed to by the pointer from a result of the correlation matching operation and based on at least one of the codes. The position detector further includes a pressure calculation circuit for detecting pressure applied to the pointer, which is associated with the time difference between the two codes, from the result of the correlation matching operation calculated by the correlation matching operation and based on the two codes.
US09529447B2 Removable input module
A removable input module for a touch-screen device is described. The input module comprises an attachment mechanism to attach the module to the touch-screen device, one or more input controls and an accelerometer and/or magnetometer. The accelerometer and/or magnetometer are configured to provide signals to be used to determine the orientation of the input module relative to the touch-screen device and/or to another input module which is attached to the same touch-screen device. In an embodiment, the input module comprises a processor arranged to analyze the output of the accelerometer and/or magnetometer and determine the orientation of the input module.
US09529438B2 Printing structured documents
Print objects (38) are captured. In the process of capturing each of the print objects (38) a user input gesture (34) over a region of a document (18) being rendered on a display (16) in accordance with a structured object specification (20) of the document (18) is received; an element of the structured object specification (20) being rendered within an active area of the user input gesture (34) on the display (16) is identified; the user input gesture (34) is interpreted as a print content designation command; and the print object (38) is derived from the structured object specification (20) in accordance with the identified element of the structured object specification (20) and the print content designation command. A print layout (32) of the print objects (38) on one or more pages (50) is determined. The print layout (32) is outputted.
US09529429B2 System and method for controlling the position of a movable object on a viewing device
A system for controlling the position of a movable object on a viewing device in an aircraft cockpit, which can be actuated by an operator includes means for determining, at least at one given moment, a position of a target zone on said viewing device toward which the operator's gaze is directed, and positioning means adapted for placing the object on the target zone of the viewing device.
US09529426B2 Head pose tracking using a depth camera
Head pose tracking technique embodiments are presented that use a group of sensors configured so as to be disposed on a user's head. This group of sensors includes a depth sensor apparatus used to identify the three dimensional locations of features within a scene, and at least one other type of sensor. Data output by each sensor in the group of sensors is periodically input, and each time the data is input it is used to compute a transformation matrix that when applied to a previously determined head pose location and orientation established when the first sensor data was input identifies a current head pose location and orientation. This transformation matrix is then applied to the previously determined head pose location and orientation to identify a current head pose location and orientation.
US09529423B2 System and method to modify audio components in an online environment
A system and method to modify audio components in an online environment based on avatar characteristics and/or inventory items. The system includes a component to allow one or more audio modification algorithms to be selected. The system also includes a component to identify one or more avatar characteristics and a component to identify one or more avatar inventory items. The system further comprises a component to modify an audio communication in a virtual universe based on at least one of the one or more audio modification algorithms, the one or more avatar characteristics, and the one or more avatar inventory items.
US09529421B2 Server for photographing apparatus and method of providing status notification of photographing apparatus
A method for controlling a server connected to a photographing apparatus is provided. The control method includes receiving status information of the photographing apparatus from the photographing apparatus, searching a schedule for using the photographing apparatus from pre-stored scheduling information, determining whether the searched schedule and the status information of the photographing apparatus satisfy preset conditions, respectively, and transmitting notification information to a user terminal apparatus when the conditions are satisfied.
US09529411B2 Power-saving mode for USB power delivery sourcing device
Methods of reducing power consumption in a USB power-delivery source device. In one such method, one or more source capabilities messages are sent by the USB power-delivery source device. If, after sending a source capabilities message, a response to said source capabilities message is not received within a predetermined time period, the device sends another source capabilities message. If, after sending a predetermined number of source capabilities messages, no response is received, the device waits an extended period of time before sending another source capabilities message. Receiving functionality of the USB power-delivery source device is turned off during some or all of said extended period of time.
US09529404B2 Information processing apparatus and method of controlling information processing apparatus
An information processing apparatus includes a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to set an operating frequency of the processor at a first value in response to an occurrence of a first event, when a second event occurs after the occurrence of the first event, to determine whether the second event occurs within a predetermined period after the occurrence of the first event, and when the second event occurs after the predetermined period, set the operating frequency at a second value, and when the second event occurs within the predetermined period, set the operating frequency at a third value higher than the second value.
US09529400B1 Automatic power domain and voltage domain assignment to system-on-chip agents and network-on-chip elements
The present disclosure relates system and method for automatic assignment of power domain and voltage domain to one or more SoC and/or NoC elements based on one or a combination of NoC and/or SoC specification/design, traffic specification, connectivity between SoC hosts that the NoC element in context is a part of, power specification (power domain and voltage domain of each host) of the hosts/SoC, and power profile(s) applicable for the NoC element in context. In another example implementation, power domain and voltage domain can be assigned to each SoC and/or NoC element based on pre-defined constraints and with an objective of reducing/minimizing static power consumption, reducing/minimizing hardware area, or identifying a tradeoff between the two parameters.
US09529398B2 Managing and revoking power allocated through bus interfaces
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that manages power allocated through a set of bus interfaces on a computer system. During operation, the system obtains a first request for revocable current beyond a reserved current for a first bus interface from the set of bus interfaces, wherein the request is associated with a first device connected to the first bus interface. Next, the system allocates the revocable current to the first bus interface from an extra-current budget for the set of bus interfaces. Upon detecting a connection of a second device that requires non-revocable current over the extra-current budget to a second bus interface from the set of bus interfaces, the system transmits a first notification to the first device to relinquish the revocable current. Finally, the system allocates the non-revocable current to the second device from the relinquished revocable current.
US09529393B2 Multi-function key in a keyboard for an electronic device
Example embodiments described herein can include a display portion including a display; and a keyboard portion including a plurality of keys. One of the plurality of keys is a multi-function key configured to register a character on the display, and the multi-function key is configured to control movement of a cursor in multiple directions on the display. In yet other embodiments, the multi-function key is a space bar having a surface area substantially larger than other keys of the plurality of keys. The multi-function key can be rectangular shaped and sufficiently large to receive simultaneous contacts associated with each thumb of a user when the user types on the keyboard portion.
US09529380B1 Local oscillator signal generation circuit with harmonic current rejection
A circuit for generating a local oscillator signal includes: at least one divider module configured to receive an input signal and divide a frequency of the input signal by a division ratio; and a load circuit coupled to the at least one divider module, the load circuit configured to provide balanced current pulses that substantially reduce at least a portion of harmonic current ripples in the local oscillator signal.
US09529379B2 Timing synchronization circuit with loop counter
An apparatus for synchronizing an output clock signal with an input clock signal includes a first timing synchronization circuit, control logic, and a counter. The first timing synchronization circuit is operable to generate a delay to synchronize a reference clock signal representative of the input clock signal with a feedback clock signal representative of the output clock signal responsive a strobe signal. The control logic is operable to generate an enable signal based on the reference clock signal and generate the strobe signal based on the feedback clock signal. The counter is operable to count cycles of the reference clock signal occurring between the enable signal and the strobe signal to generate a loop count for the first timing synchronization circuit.
US09529376B2 Electric power detection system
An integration circuit charges a capacitor by a charge current corresponding to a current flowing in a detection resistor provided in an electric power supply path extending to a DCM. A comparison circuit outputs a comparison signal, which changes to one of a high level and a low level in accordance with an integration value corresponding to a charge voltage of the capacitor. A discharge switch discharges the capacitor and stops discharge of the capacitor, when the comparison signal is at the high level and the low level, respectively. A control circuit determines an estimation value of electric power supplied from a battery to a DCM based on a count of edges, at which the signal level of the detection signal changes.
US09529373B2 Switching regulator and control circuit and control method therefor
Disclosed are a switching regulator and a control circuit and a control method therefor. In one embodiment, by means of controlling a rectifying switch in a power stage with a second control signal which has a predetermined frequency and varies in accordance with the difference between a feedback voltage and a reference voltage, more energy may be shunted when a switching regulator operates in a light loaded or unloaded condition, so that audio noise is avoided.
US09529363B2 Celestial navigation system for an autonomous vehicle
A navigation control system for an autonomous vehicle comprises a transmitter and an autonomous vehicle. The transmitter comprises an emitter for emitting at least one signal, a power source for powering the emitter, a device for capturing wireless energy to charge the power source, and a printed circuit board for converting the captured wireless energy to a form for charging the power source. The autonomous vehicle operates within a working area and comprises a receiver for detecting the at least one signal emitted by the emitter, and a processor for determining a relative location of the autonomous vehicle within the working area based on the signal emitted by the emitter.
US09529359B1 Interactive behavior engagement and management in subordinate airborne robots
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed. The UAV comprises a battery, a flight mechanism, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, a processor, a memory, and an application stored in the memory. When executed by the processor, the application discovers an environment where the UAV operates by flying in the environment to determine its boundaries; creates a map of the environment that the UAV flew through; and shares the map with a social robot. The application receives a command from the social robot via the RF transceiver, wherein the social robot receives a verbal request from a user of the social robot, wherein the social robot transforms the user request to a command for the UAV. The application then performs the command from the social robot. The application then lands on a designated charging pad to conserve energy. The application then transmits a report back to the social robot.
US09529349B2 Supervisor user management system
An approach for control of users relative to access to controllers of a site in a hierarchy of controllers and building equipment. When a user of a customer has established a read write connection to a site controller, the customer does not necessarily want any subsequent user to establish a read write connection to the site controller or another controller within the same site and also make changes, for example, to settings of building equipment. Thus, a subsequent user may be allowed a read only connection and just be able to view building equipment information. When the first user has disconnected either intentionally or by inactivity, the site controller may be cleared allowing a subsequent user to obtain a read write connection. If the first user is inactive but fails to disconnect from the controller, an auto log-off provision may disconnect the user after a specified period of inactivity.
US09529346B2 Regulation method
The invention relates to a method for automatic regulation of a system in which a plurality of parameters characteristic of the system are measured and in which at least one control parameter (u) is applied as a function of the measured parameters (y). The method includes choosing a nominal operating point of the system, and defining a nominal model (Mn) of the system at this nominal operating point is determined, and estimated characteristic output parameters (yr) corresponding to measurable characteristic parameters (y) are determined from said nominal model. The method further includes determining errors between at least one of the measured characteristic output parameters (y) and at least one of the estimated characteristic output parameters (yr), and applying at least one control parameter of the system as a function of the errors determined to reduce the error between at least one of the estimated characteristic output parameters (yr) and the corresponding at least one measured value of the measured characteristic output parameters (y).
US09529338B2 Watch display using light sources with a translucent cover
A display assembly includes a display selectively displaying human-readable indicia on a face thereof and a cover disposed over the display. The cover has a homogeneous surface over the entire face of the display. The display assembly is controllable between an inactive state and an active state. In the inactive state, the face of the display is not viewable through the cover, and in the active state, the indicia are viewable through the cover.
US09529330B2 Wrist watch oscillating step motor with sweep motion
An oscillating stepping motor can reduce a required rotational angle of a rotor to drive a star wheel, reduce idle driving, cut the loss of energy required for the driving, reduce power consumption even in high-frequency driving, and stably operate. Two star wheels are located so that the tooth tips thereof are not engaged with each other. A rotor shaft includes a rotor pinion having two feed teeth at a certain aperture angle. One of the feed teeth feeds one of the driving wheels by oscillation of the rotor in one direction and the other of the feed teeth feeds the other of the driving wheels by the oscillation of the rotor in the other. The rotor then oscillates within a certain angle range, thereby sequentially rotating output gears in a certain direction by a certain angle.
US09529327B2 Crown pulling device for watches
A device for protecting the crown (17) of a watch comprising a lever (18) which allows the crown to be pulled out.
US09529320B2 Cartridge provided with protection cover capable of protecting developer carrier and image forming apparatus provided with the same
A cartridge includes: a first cartridge; a second cartridge; and a protection cover. The first cartridge includes: a photosensitive body; a photosensitive-body accommodating portion for accommodating the photosensitive body; and a cartridge mounting portion. The second cartridge is detachably mounted in the first cartridge and includes a developer carrier. The protection cover provides an attached state to be attached to the second cartridge and a detached state to be detached from the second cartridge. The protection cover at the attached state faces the developer carrier to protect the developer carrier. The second cartridge provides an accommodated position to be accommodated in the cartridge mounting portion when the protection cover is at the attached state, and a mounted position to be mounted in the cartridge mounting portion when the protection cover is at the detached state.
US09529316B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a belt, a plurality of image forming devices including a photosensitive member, a developing device, a transfer device and a blade, and a control device configured to form a pattern image on a first photosensitive member, when an image to be printed on a sheet is not formed, by applying a developing voltage to a first developing device, an absolute value thereof is greater than that when an image to be printed on a sheet is formed, transfer the pattern image onto the belt and apply a transfer voltage or transfer current having the same polarity as that applied to a second transfer device when an image to be printed on a sheet is formed to the second transfer device when the pattern image to be conveyed by the belt passes the second transfer device.
US09529309B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus including a multi-layer nip formation pad
A fixing device includes a fixing rotator, a nip formation pad disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator, and a pressure rotator pressed against the nip formation pad via the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A support is disposed opposite the pressure rotator via the nip formation pad to support the nip formation pad against pressure from the pressure rotator. The nip formation pad conducts heat in a thickness direction thereof perpendicular to an axial direction of the fixing rotator and a recording medium conveyance direction. The nip formation pad includes a multi-conductivity layer having a thermal conductivity varying in the axial direction of the fixing rotator and a support side layer contacting the support and having a thermal conductivity greater than a thermal conductivity of the support.
US09529308B2 Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing rotator and an opposed rotator pressed against the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween, through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A heater heats the fixing rotator. A temperature sensor contacts the opposed rotator to detect a temperature of the opposed rotator. A conveyor conveys the recording medium to the fixing nip. A driver drives the conveyor. A controller, operatively connected to the temperature sensor and the driver, controls the driver to drive the conveyor to convey the recording medium to the fixing nip based on the temperature of the opposed rotator detected by the temperature sensor. The controller causes the driver to be ready to drive the conveyor when a change in the detected temperature of the opposed rotator per unit time reaches a predetermined threshold.
US09529289B2 Method for producing toner particles
A method is provided for producing toner particles containing an organosilicon polymer, produced by mixing an organosilicon compound and an aqueous medium containing base particles, and polymerizing the organosilicon compound. The organosilicon compound has a particular structure represented by formula (1) or (2). The organosilicon polymer is produced by polymerization at 80.0° C. or more and 105.0° C. or less.
US09529284B2 Process cartridge, image forming method, and electrophotographic apparatus
A process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging device, and a developing device. The electrophotographic photosensitive member has a surface layer containing a polyarylate resin and a polycarbonate resin. The electrophotographic photosensitive member has an outer diameter of 23 mm or less and the developing device is configured to collect a residual toner left on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. A toner has a weight-average particle diameter (D4) of 7.1 μm or more and 10.0 μm or less, an average circularity of 0.95 or more, and an average aspect ratio of 0.90 or more.
US09529283B2 Radiation source, lithographic apparatus, and device manufacturing method
A spectral purity filter is configured to transmit extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation and deflect or absorb non-EUV secondary radiation. In an embodiment, the spectral purity filter includes a body of material highly transmissive of EUV radiation and a layer of material highly reflective of non-EUV secondary radiation located on a radiation incident side of the body. In an embodiment, the spectral purity filter includes a body of material highly transmissive of EUV radiation and a layer of high emissivity material on an end of the body.
US09529281B2 Mask-mounting apparatus for exposure machine
A mask-mounting apparatus for an exposure machine, which comprises: a mask frame (8) for securing a mask (9); a gas cell (6, 7) provided beneath the mask frame (8), for supporting the mask frame (8); and a gas-supply unit communicating through a gas-supply pipeline with the gas cell (6, 7); the gas-supply pipeline is provided thereon with a pneumatic switch valve (10, 11). In the event of interruption of supply from the gas-supply unit, the pneumatic switch valve shuts off the gas-supply pipeline to prevent the gas cell from being deflated. With provision of a pneumatic switch valve on the gas-supply pipeline connected with the gas cell, it can be achieved that, after an interruption of the supply from the gas-supply unit, the pneumatic switch valve automatically switches to a non-energized state, thus sealing the gas in the gas cell, and avoiding the detachment of the mask frame caused by deflation of the gas cell. After the normal supply of the gas-supply unit, the pneumatic switch valve controls the gas-supply pipeline to continue supplying gas to the gas cell, thus avoiding the risks of detachment of the mask frame caused by the interruption of the supply of the gas-supply unit.
US09529269B2 Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A field manipulator to provide high resolution control of position in the XY plane and/or focus control. The field manipulator includes a plate located between the patterning device and the substrate. Control of the XY position is provided by tilting of the plate, while control of the focus position may be provided by localized deformation of the plate. Both adjustments may be performed by one or more actuators that act upon one or more edges of the plate. In an embodiment, two substantially parallel plates are provided and focus control can be provided by changing the spacing between them. A liquid may be provided between the plates which may be temperature controlled to adjust the focus by changing the refractive index of the liquid.
US09529264B2 Method for structuring the surface of a pressed sheet or an endless strip
The invention relates to a method for producing a metallic pressed sheet or an endless strip, whereby a surface structure is produced by applying a mask for partial chemical passivation followed by chemical surface treatment. The invention also relates to a device for implementing said method. In order to significantly improve the reproducibility and the resolution of the mask obtained, the mask is produced from a UV-hardening lacquer which is applied by a suitable device. The resolution is improved by means of a nozzle matrix which sprays the UV-hardening lacquer in dots, the individual dots forming a pattern as a result of the overspraying thereof, thereby forming the mask to be produced. The UV-hardening lacquer is especially advantageous in that it can be removed from the surface very easily after the etching process, and enables a high reproducibility compared to the conventional screen printing methods.
US09529261B2 Color-forming composition, color-forming curable composition, lithographic printing plate precursor and plate making method, and color-forming compound
A color-forming composition contains (A) a radical generator, (B) a compound represented by the following formula (1) and (C) a binder polymer: wherein, in the formula (1), R1 represents a group which reacts with a radical generated from the radical generator (A) to be released and forms a dye after the release, and T represents a nitrogen-containing hetero ring.
US09529255B2 Image process method to improve mask inspection performance
The present disclosure relates to a method of inspecting a photomask to decrease false defects, which uses a plurality of image rendering models with varying emphasis on different design aspects, and an associated apparatus. In some embodiments, the method is performed by forming an integrated circuit (IC) design comprising a graphical representation of an integrated circuit. A first image rendering simulation is performed on the IC design using an initial image rendering model to determine a plurality of initial mask defects. A second image rendering simulation is performed on the IC design using a modified image rendering model that emphasizes a design aspect to determine a plurality of modified mask defects. By comparing the plurality of initial mask defects with the plurality of modified mask defects, falsely identified mask defects can be detected and eliminated.
US09529251B2 Flare-measuring mask, flare-measuring method, and exposure method
A method for measuring flare information of a projection optical system includes arranging, on an object plane of the projection optical system, a sectoral pattern surrounded by a first side, a second side which is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the first side, and an inner diameter portion and an outer diameter portion which connect both ends of the first side and both ends of the second side; projecting an image of the sectoral pattern via the projection optical system; and determining the flare information based on a light amount of the image of the sectoral pattern and a light amount provided at a position away from the image. With the flare measuring method, it possible to correctly measure the flare information in an arbitrary angle range.
US09529249B2 Extreme ultraviolet lithography process and mask
A system of an extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) is disclosed. The system includes a mask having reflective phase-shift-grating-blocks (PhSGBs). The system also includes an illumination to expose the mask to produce a resultant reflected light from the mask. The resultant reflected light contains mainly diffracted lights. The system also has projection optics to collect and direct resultant reflected light to expose a target.
US09529248B2 Protective means for protecting imaging media
A protective means has a pouch-like structure, comprising an orifice for inserting X-ray imaging media in the protective means. In connection with the protective means there is also a closing means, which is arranged to close the orifice. Also in connection with the protective means there is a fastening means for fastening a closing means to the pouch-like structure of the protective means so that upon fastening the closing means the fastening means is arranged to be located on both sides of the orifice.
US09529247B2 Projector including polarization separation element and rotating prism
A projector including at least one light source, a polarization separation element that separates light from the light source into two linearly polarized light beams whose polarization axes are orthogonal to each other to emit the two linearly polarized light beams in the same direction, a TIR prism that transmits through the two linearly polarized light beams, a reflective light modulation element that receives the two linearly polarized light beams that have been emitted from the TIR prism to modulate and reflect the two linearly polarized light beams toward the TIR prism, a projection lens that enlarges and projects the two linearly polarized light beams that have been modulated by the reflective light modulation element and that have been transmitted through the TIR prism, and a rotating prism being rotatably arranged in an optical path.
US09529243B2 Liquid crystal element and cell for liquid crystal element
Provided is a liquid crystal element of low drive voltage and high response speed. A liquid crystal element (1) includes a liquid crystal layer (11), first and second electrodes (21, 22), a high-resistivity layer (41), and an inorganic dielectric layer (42). The first and second electrodes (21, 22) are operable to apply voltage to the liquid crystal layer (11). The high-resistivity layer (41) is interposed between either one (21) of the first and second electrodes (21, 22) and the liquid crystal layer (11). The inorganic dielectric layer (42) is interposed between the high-resistivity layer (41) and the liquid crystal layer (11).
US09529242B2 Display apparatus and display apparatus manufacturing method
A display apparatus and a display apparatus manufacturing method are provided with which a favorable display quality can be obtained by preventing an air bubble from entering. The display apparatus in the invention includes a circuit board including a display portion and a peripheral circuit portion provided at the periphery of the display portion, a display sheet layer, an adhesion layer that adheres the display sheet to the circuit board, and a common electrode that is provided on the display sheet and can apply a voltage to the display sheet between the common electrode and the pixel electrode. A surface of the circuit board to which the display sheet is adhered through the adhesion layer has a recess-and-projection structure including recess portions and projecting portions. The recess-and-projection structure is formed so as to reach an outer edge of the peripheral circuit portion, as viewed in a plan view.
US09529238B2 Liquid crystal display device and electronic apparatus
According to an aspect, a liquid crystal display device includes: a first substrate and a second substrate that face each other; a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a first electrode and a second electrode provided between the first substrate and the liquid crystal layer. The first electrode includes: at least an electrode base portion that extends in a first direction; and a plurality of comb-shaped portions that protrude from the electrode base portion at a fixed distance away from each other, and extend in a second direction different from the first direction. Each comb-shaped portion has a coupling portion layered on or under the electrode base portion.
US09529237B2 Display device and driving method thereof
A display device and a driving method therefor includes a plurality of unit pixels arranged in a matrix form, a plurality of gate lines extending in a row direction and connected to the unit pixels, respectively, pluralities of first and second data lines extending in a column direction and connected to the unit pixels, respectively, a plurality of charge control lines extending in the row direction and connected to the unit pixels, respectively, a plurality of gate connection lines connected to at least two adjacent gate lines, respectively, and a plurality of charge connection lines connected to at least two adjacent charge control lines, respectively.
US09529232B2 Liquid display panel and process for preparing same
Embodiments of the invention provide a liquid display panel and a process for preparing the same comprising: coating a polymerizable siloxane solution onto either of an array substrate and a color filter substrate; applying a mixture comprising a liquid crystalline polymerizable monomer, a photoinitiator, and liquid crystal between the color filter substrate and the array substrate; and allowing the liquid crystalline polymerizable monomer and the polymerizable siloxane to polymerize under effect of the photoinitiator with UV irradiation to generate a network of high molecular polymers, thereby anchoring liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal to a state of vertical orientation. The liquid display panel effectively increases the uniformity of the arrangement of the long axes of the liquid crystal molecules vertical to the array substrate, reduces the deviation of arrangement in the vertical direction among the liquid crystal molecules at different positions of the liquid display panel, and improves display performance of the liquid display panel.
US09529229B2 Backlight unit and display device having the same
A backlight unit includes a substrate, a plurality of first light sources, a plurality of second light sources, a first wiring portion, a second wiring portion, a first connector and a second connector. The first light sources are disposed on the substrate. The second light sources are disposed on the substrate in a single line. The first wiring portion extends along a length direction on a first peripheral area of the substrate and is connected to the first light sources. The second wiring portion extends along the length direction on a second peripheral area of the substrate and is connected to the second light sources. The first connector is disposed on a first end portion of the substrate and is electrically connected to the first wiring portion. The second connector is disposed on a second end portion of the substrate and is electrically connected to the second wiring portion.
US09529227B2 Coatable polarizer and liquid crystal display device having the same
There is provided a coatable polarizer which incurs low manufacturing cost and has an excellent polarization degree and transmittance. A plurality of polarization layers are formed on the coatable polarizer, and each of the polarization layers include about 5 to 7 wt % of dichroic dyes, whereby a light component parallel to an alignment direction of a dichroic dye, among light having a wavelength corresponding to a color, is absorbed to have polarization characteristics.
US09529218B2 Projection type liquid crystal display device
According to one embodiment, a projection type liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel and a bezel. The liquid crystal display panel includes an array substrate, an opposed substrate, and a liquid crystal layer provided between the array substrate and the opposed substrate. The liquid crystal display panel has a first surface on one side of the array substrate and the opposed substrate, and a second surface on another side of the array substrate and the opposed substrate. The bezel covers a part of the liquid crystal panel. The bezel includes a first opening provided on a side of the first surface and a second opening provided on a side of the second surface. The second opening has a larger size than the first opening.
US09529206B2 Backlight control method, apparatus and 3D display system
A method includes dividing a backlight source and a liquid crystal panel into N row sections, preprocessing 3D images to output first images and second images of left and right eyes in a complementary format, while preserving odd and even row section images of original images of the left and right eyes, and sequentially scanning the first images and second images of the left and right eyes from top to bottom using the backlight source. The method further includes, after scanning a row section, controlling the backlight of the row section to be turned on and then turned off until the same row section of a next image starts to be scanned, and repeating until all images are scanned. The method thus provides a crosstalk-free 3D effect and reduces power consumption of the backlight source.
US09529203B2 Focal plane shifting system
Focal plane shift elements and optical systems with focal plane shifting features for illuminating flow-paths in a fluidic processing system are disclosed. An optical system may include a light source providing an incident first light beam. The optical system may include at least one optical element configured to collect and focus the incident first light beam to produce a second light beam having different portions simultaneously focused at two or more different locations along an optical path, with each location corresponding to a different flow-path of the fluidic processing system. The focal plane shift elements and optical systems with focal plane shifting features may be particularly useful in a microfluidic system.
US09529177B2 Imaging lens and imaging apparatus equipped with the imaging lens
An imaging lens is essentially constituted by five lenses, including: a first lens having a positive refractive power and a convex surface toward the object side; a second lens of a biconcave shape; a third lens having a positive refractive power and is of a meniscus shape with a concave surface toward the object side; a fourth lens having a negative refractive power and a concave surface toward the object side; and a fifth lens having a negative refractive power and a concave surface toward the image side, provided in this order from the object side. The imaging lens satisfies predetermined conditional formulae.
US09529176B2 Micro-lenses
A micro-lens is provided. The micro-lens includes a first lens, a second lens and a third lens. The first lens is a convexo-convex lens with positive focal power; the second lens is a lens having a concave image-side surface with negative focal power; and the third lens is a lens with negative focal power. At least one surface of the first, second and third lenses is aspheric. The micro-optical lens provided herein employs three pieces of aspheric lens, and breaks through the current patent blockage through distribution of different focal power, and set forth a new solution for the specification and performance as required currently. Meanwhile, the optical lens disclosed in this invention has small size and high optical quality, and thus could be easily installed in various digital products requiring portable imaging.
US09529175B2 Projection optical apparatus and image projection apparatus
A disclosed projection optical apparatus includes a plurality of lenses, each of the lenses having a flat surface in a part of an outer circumference; a lens holder having a hollow cylindrical shape and configured to hold the lenses; and a vent hole formed of gaps communicating between the flat surfaces of the lenses and the lens holder.
US09529172B2 Breakout cable
A breakout cable includes a data-lane module comprising a plurality of data lanes configured to send and receive a plurality of data signals, a plurality of breakout modules, and a plurality cables. Each breakout module is associated with a data lane and each cable interfaces with the data-lane module and a corresponding data lane to send and receive the plurality of signals between the data-lane module and a corresponding breakout module at a nominal 25 Gbps or a nominal 100 Gbps. In various embodiments, the data-lane module connects to a host and each of the plurality of modules connects to one or more system(s) to enable host-to-system(s) communications and system(s)-to-host communications at a nominal 100 Gbps or a nominal 400 Gbps.
US09529171B2 High density panel with rotating tray
The present invention relates to a telecommunications termination panel with a tray pivotably mounted within the front opening of a housing. The tray pivots about a hinge located adjacent one of the sides of the housing and includes a raised floor. The raised floor of the tray cooperates with the side adjacent the hinge and a bottom of the housing to define a cable path from a rear cable access port to an opening on the tray adjacent the hinge. The tray includes a plurality of connection locations and cable management structures to direct a telecommunications cable from the cable access port to a rear of the connection locations without violating bend radius rules. The tray may also include a temporary cable holder to assist in pulling cables through the rear opening into the housing. The present invention further relates to a telecommunications equipment rack with a termination panel with such a pivoting tray mounted to the rack.
US09529170B2 Multipurpose optical fibre drop cable
A telecommunication cable includes at least one optical fiber unit surrounded by a low fire hazard halogen free polymeric inner sheath that is covered by and in contact with a peelable, environmentally resistant polymer outer sheath. At least two discrete strength members are embedded into the low fire hazard halogen free polymeric inner sheath. The cable is intended for outdoor and indoor use.
US09529166B2 Optical receptacle and optical module provided with same
An optical receptacle has a configuration wherein light of a light-emitting element is separated into a coupling light and a monitor light by a coupling lens face portion and a monitor lens face portion of a first lens face. The coupling light is reflected by a first reflective surface and then emitted towards an optical transmission body from a coupling light emission surface. The monitor light is reflected by a second reflective surface and then emitted towards a light-receiving surface from a monitor light emission surface.
US09529161B2 Plug and socket device
A plug and socket device includes at least one housing and one base plate for accommodating the at least one housing. The housing has a base body and at least two locking means. The locking means each have an elongated locking arm and a locking hook. The base plate has at least one locking nose corresponding to the locking means. The locking nose is formed such that in the fully plugged-in position of the housing and the ground plate the locking hook engages behind the locking nose such that a positive locking is established between the locking means and the locking nose, and unintentional detachment of the plug and socket device is difficult. The base plate has at least one securing element that prevents the detachment of the locking hook and thus serves to secure the position of the locking means in the fully plugged-in position.
US09529157B2 3D-MEMS optical switch
A 3D-MEMS optical switch, comprising: a collimator array, a PD array, a window glass which covers the PD array and is coated with a partial reflection film, a micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) micro-mirror, and a core optical switch controller connected to the PD array and the MEMS micro-mirror. The PD array is integrated inside the core optical switch, so that the architecture and the volume of the optical switch are simplified. The window glass which covers the PD array and is coated with a partial reflection film is used to fold an optical path, and some optical signals are transmitted onto the PD array, so that the core optical switch controller adjusts the MEMS micro-mirror according to the optical power of the optical signals detected by the PD array, so as to enable the insertion loss of the 3D-MEMS optical switch to meet a preset attenuation range.
US09529152B2 Laser cleaving multi-row ribbon fibers
A laser cleaving system includes a laser and a fixture including holders for respectively holding optical fiber ribbons at different angular positions. The fixture is rotatable relative to the laser for facilitating serial cleaving of the optical fiber ribbons. The fixture is configured for holding the ribbons in a predetermined manner so that the cleaved optical surfaces are of high quality and coplanar, such as when installed in a ferrule. For example, the fixture separates the ends of the ribbons from one another so that the ribbons being held by the fixture may be cleaved substantially independently from one another.
US09529143B2 Backlight assembly having support frame
A backlight assembly comprises: a receptacle; a support frame; and a light source module. The support frame is arranged on one side of the receptacle. The light source module is accommodated in the support frame and includes a printed circuit board and light sources. The support frame includes: a bottom portion; a side wall portion; a cover portion; a gap holding portion; and an insertion groove. The side wall portion extends from the bottom portion. The cover portion extends from the side wall portion to an inside. The gap holding portion extends from an end portion of the cover portion in a direction of the bottom portion. The printed circuit board is partially inserted into the insertion groove to be arranged on the upper surface of the bottom portion. The light sources are surrounded by the side wall portion, the cover portion, and the gap holding portion.
US09529138B2 Display device
Disclosed is a display device. The display device includes: a light source; an optical sheet into which light is incident from the light source; a display panel disposed on the optical sheet and including an effective display region and a non-effective display region around the effective display region; and a light conversion/light-blocking sheet corresponding to the non-effective display region.
US09529137B2 Display device
A display device includes a display panel, a backlight unit configured to output light to the display panel, and a lens part interposed between the display panel and the backlight unit, and configured to transmit the light output from the backlight unit is transmitted, wherein the backlight unit includes an optical module configured to output the light, and a light guide plate configured to form a light path through which the light that is output from the optical module and incident on the light guide plate is transmitted and to scatter the incident light, the light guide plate including a fixing hole, a first pattern part configured to scatter the incident light output from the optical module, and a second pattern part provided adjacent to the fixing hole.
US09529131B2 Polarizing plate
A polarizing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a polarizing film having a thickness of 10 μm or less and a protective layer provided on at least one side of the polarizing film through intermediation of an adhesion layer. The adhesion layer has a thickness of 0.7 μm or more, and the adhesion layer has a percentage of bulk water absorption of 10 wt % or less.
US09529127B2 Method for producing a refractive or diffractive optical device
A method producing a refractive or diffractive optical device, including: production, in a first layer, of at least one inclined general profile approximated by a staircase profile including plural stairsteps; production of the profile including: forming buffer patterns on the first layer and at least one sequence including: forming masking patterns, so each masking pattern includes at least one edge situated above a buffer pattern and covers at least one area of the first layer not masked by the buffer patterns, the forming the masking patterns also defining, for the first layer, plural free areas not masked by the masking patterns or by the buffer patterns; etching the free areas to form trenches in the first layer. The production of the profile also includes: removing the masking patterns, removing the buffer patterns revealing walls previously covered by the buffer patterns, and then an isotropic etching to remove the walls.
US09529117B2 Polymerizable composition for optical material, method for producing same, and method for producing optical material
By using a method for producing a composition for an optical material using (a) sulfur, (b) a compound having two intramolecular episulfide groups, (c) a compound having one or more (preferably two) SH groups, and (d) an amine compound having a specific structure, in which compound (a) and compound (c) are pre-polymerized in the presence of compound (b) using compound (d) as the pre-polymerization catalyst, the present invention provides a polymerizable composition for an optical material in which the viscosity elevation speed during pre-polymerization is slow and the reaction temperature is approximately room temperature, and that has a low viscosity and shows little increase in viscosity. By means of another embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to produce an optical material that has excellent mold release characteristics but has substantially no striae by polymerizing (a) sulfur, (b) a compound having two intramolecular episulfide groups, and (c) a compound having one or more SH groups in the presence of (d) a hindered amine catalyst having a specific structure.
US09529109B2 Methods and apparatus for determining slowness of wavefronts
Methods and apparatus for determining slowness of wavefronts. An example apparatus includes one or more sources spaced from a receiver. The one or more sources are to transmit one or more signals and the receiver is to receive at least a portion of the one or more signals. The apparatus includes a processor to process waveform data associated with the one or more signals by stacking waveforms of the waveform data based on to linear moveout and sinusoidal moveout.
US09529107B2 Method of deployment, method and device for seismic prospecting in an aquatic medium
A method for seismic prospecting in an aquatic medium using a device having at least one seismic cable provided with sensors and at least one moving seismic source. The method includes the following steps: 1) moving the cable in the water using two drones each placed at one end of the cable and which maintain tension in the cable, the movement of the cable minimizing the deviation of the cable with respect to a desired route in the terrestrial reference frame where the movement of the cable is also being restricted by a maximum track curvature value in the water, and, at the same time; and 2) moving the seismic source in a reference frame connected to the cable, emitting waves via the seismic source, and sensing reflections of the waves by the cable.
US09529103B2 Identifying overlapping stimulated reservoir volumes for a multi-stage injection treatment
In some aspects, a first boundary is computed based on microseismic event locations associated with a first stage of a multi-stage injection treatment of a subterranean region. A second boundary is computed based on microseismic event locations associated with a second stage of the multi-stage injection treatment. Based on the first and second boundaries, an overlap between stimulated reservoir volumes (SRVs) associated with the first and second stages is determined.
US09529102B2 Caterpillar-style seismic data acquisition using autonomous, continuously recording seismic data recorders
The invention relates to recording seismic data with autonomous seismic data recorders in a pattern where the recorders are deployed in a compact geographical array having a low aspect ratio keeping the recorders closer to the seismic source trucks and requiring fewer total recorders. The recorders are deployed to cover an active listening patch and the seismic source trucks progress from shot point to shot point within a defined source path that provides for a pattern of recorder movements from behind the active listening patch to a location in front of the active patch.
US09529101B2 Radiation detection
An instrument for detecting radiation is provided, which comprises an inner core housing a neutron detector, and an outer core comprising a neutron-moderating material, the instrument further including at least one elongate thermal neutron guide located within the outer core and having an inner end that terminates proximal to the neutron detector. In use, the elongate thermal neutron guide channels thermal neutrons towards the neutron detector. Also provided is a method for using said instrument.
US09529099B2 Microcavity plasma panel radiation detector
A position-sensitive ionizing-radiation counting detector includes a first substrate and a second substrate, and a defined gas gap between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first and second substrates comprise dielectrics and a discharge gas is contained between the first and second substrate. A microcavity structure comprising microcavities is coupled to the second substrate. An anode electrode is coupled to the first substrate and a cathode electrode is coupled to the microcavity structure on the second substrate. The detector further includes pixels defined by a microcavity and an anode electrode coupled to a cathode electrode, and a resistor coupled to each of the cathode electrodes. Each pixel may output a gas discharge counting event pulse upon interaction with ionizing-radiation. The detector further includes a voltage bus coupled to each of the resistors and a power supply coupled to at least one of the electrodes.
US09529095B2 Measuring device
According to an embodiment, a measuring device includes a plurality of scintillators, plurality of receiving elements, and a processor. The scintillators each convert incident radiation into light. The receiving elements each convert scintillation light received by a light receiving surface thereof into an electric signal. The processor acquires a value corresponding to an intensity of the incident radiation based on the electric signal. Each of the scintillators includes an incident surface on which the radiation is incident. The incident surface includes an inclination that has a predetermined angle with respect to the light receiving surface and that is asymmetric with respect to a center of the incident surface. The scintillators are arrayed on a plane including the light receiving surface.
US09529091B2 Information acquisition device, positional information storage method and storage medium
An information acquisition device includes: a positioning unit that measures a current position and acquires positional information thereof; an information acquisition unit that acquires information; a storage unit that stores information acquired by the information acquisition unit and positional information acquired by the positioning unit; and a control unit that causes the positioning unit to perform positioning, while the information acquisition unit is activated, at an interval shorter than while the information acquisition unit is stopped, and causes positional information acquired while the information acquisition unit is activated, outside a time period determined in advance with a time in which acquisition of information was performed by the information acquisition unit as a reference point, among positional information acquired in the positioning unit, to be thinned and stored in the storage unit.
US09529090B2 Method of satellite status judgment
A method of satellite status judgment and computer program includes steps of selecting a plurality of observation satellites from a plurality of satellites according to a first condition, selecting, by the positioning apparatus, each of the observation satellites in turn as a target satellite, obtaining a signal variation slope of a first signal of a target satellite during a first observation time period, determining whether the target satellite should be masked according to the slope of the first signal, generating a prompt message when it is determined that the target satellite should be masked, and masking positioning signals transmitted from the target satellite according to the prompt message.
US09529085B2 Method for measuring spatial points
Some embodiments of the invention relate to a method for measuring spatial points with a laser scanner. The method may include: scanning multiple spatial points on an object; determining coordinates of the respective spatial point, determining a close range about a central spatial point with at least two spatial points whose angle coordinates are in a defined angular space adjacent to those of the central spatial point; aggregating coordinates of the spatial points in the specific close range; and replacing coordinates of the central spatial point by aggregating coordinates of the spatial points in the specific close range. In some embodiments, the laser scanner forms the origin of the coordinates, and the coordinates comprise a distance and at least one angle.
US09529073B2 Determining method, computer product, determining apparatus, and determining system
A determining method executed by a processor includes obtaining distance information that indicates a distance between monitoring apparatuses disposed to encompass a given area in which wireless communications apparatuses are scattered; causing a wireless signal to be transmitted and received between the monitoring apparatuses by multi-hop communication among the wireless communications apparatuses; calculating an estimated distance between the monitoring apparatuses, based on a hop count of the wireless signal multi-hop communicated among the monitoring apparatuses; and making a determination concerning a vacant area in which none of the wireless communications apparatuses is present, based on a result of comparison of the distance indicated by the obtained distance information and the calculated estimated distance.
US09529069B2 Test system for testing electrostatic tester and method thereof
A test system for testing electrostatic testers, is used to test at least one electrostatic tester each including a voltage test terminal and a connection test terminal. The test system includes at least one optical coupler circuit and a chip. Each optical coupler circuit is coupled the voltage test terminal and the connection test terminal of one corresponding electrostatic tester, and each optical coupler circuit converts voltages of the voltage test terminal and the connection test terminal respectively to a voltage test signal and a connection test signal. The chip is couple to the at least one optical coupler circuit, and receives the connection test signal and the voltage test signal produced by the at least one optical coupler circuit, and determines whether the corresponding electrostatic tester connected to each optical coupler circuit is worked normally according to the connection test signal and the voltage test signal.
US09529060B2 Magnetoresistance element with improved response to magnetic fields
A magnetoresistance element has a double pinned arrangement with two antiferromagnetic pinning layers, two pinned layers, and a free layer. A spacer layer between one of the two antiferromagnetic pinning layers and the free layer has a material selected to allow a controllable partial pinning by the one of the two antiferromagnetic pinning layers.
US09529058B2 Testing a multi-phase voltage regulator module
Low-impedance pins are electrically connected to a set of corresponding nodes of a multi-phase VRM. The multi-phase VRM is activated. A failure condition is induced in a phase of the multi-phase VRM by modifying operating parameters of the phase of the multi-phase VRM using the set of low-impedance pins. The output signal of the multi-phase VRM is monitored in response to the induced failure condition.
US09529054B2 Detecting disconnection fault in device monitoring circuit connected in multiple stages for battery cells connected in series
An electrical storage device monitoring circuit includes a 3-state buffer configured to switch between a high output state and a low output state based on a flag output delivered from a previous electrical storage device monitoring circuit at a front stage, and also configured to detect a disconnection between the current electrical storage device monitoring circuit and the previous electrical storage device monitoring circuit at the front stage; a detection circuit configured to monitor an electrical storage device to detect whether the electrical storage device is normal or abnormal; and an output circuit configured to deliver the flag output to a subsequent electrical storage device monitoring circuit at a next stage based on an input of the 3-state buffer and a detection result of the detection circuit.
US09529052B2 Battery charger with automatic voltage detection
A battery charger is disclosed that is configured to be connected to an external battery by way of external battery cables. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the battery charger is configured with automatic voltage detection which automatically determines the nominal voltage of the battery connected to its battery charger terminals and charges the battery as a function of the detected nominal voltage irrespective of the nominal voltage selected by a user. Various safeguards are built into the battery charger to avoid overcharging a battery. For battery chargers with user-selectable nominal battery voltage charging modes, battery charger is configured to over-ride a user-selected battery voltage mode if it detects that the battery connected to the battery charger terminals is different than the user-selected charging mode.
US09529028B2 Ground potential rise sensors
Ground Potential Rise (GPR) sensors measure the GPR between the ground grid and the remote earth. A GPR sensor may provide a GPR measurement to an existing distance protection, which may operate based on this measurement automatically. A GPR sensor may comprise a potential transformer configured such that one wire of the high voltage side of the potential transformer is coupled to the ground grid of a substation. The second wire of the potential transformer is coupled to an insulated wire which is coupled to a ground rod or multiple of ground rods bonded together, that is driven into the earth. The low voltage side of the potential transformer is used to connect Distance Relays, Voltage Relays, DFR or Alarms.
US09529025B2 Systems and methods for measuring the frequency of signals generated by high frequency medical devices
Systems and corresponding methods for determining characteristics of an output signal generated by a high-frequency medical device using low-frequency measurement systems are disclosed. A digital measurement system includes an oscillator, a mixer, and a controller coupled to each other. The oscillator provides a reference signal having a second frequency. The mixer generates a down-converted signal based on the output signal and the reference signal. The controller then determines a characteristic of the output signal (e.g., frequency or phase) based on the down-converted signal. An analog measurement system includes a filter having a center frequency, a rectifier, and a controller. The filter filters the output signal and the rectifier rectifies the filtered signal. The controller samples the rectified signal and determines a characteristic of the output signal based on the level of the rectified signal. The reference signal controller may adjust a characteristic of the output signal based on the determined frequency and/or phase of the output signal.
US09529017B2 Test and measurement instrument and method of switching waveform display styles
A test and measurement instrument and method of switching waveform display styles includes acquiring an electrical signal, storing peak detect data samples from the electrical signal to one or more memory devices, storing filtered data samples or unfiltered data from the electrical signal, automatically switching to a first waveform display style having the peak detect data samples configured in a first mode when a user selects the unfiltered data, and automatically switching to a second waveform display style having the peak detect data samples configured in a second mode when the user selects the filtered data samples.
US09529014B1 System and method for acquiring electrical measurements of an electronic device
Provided is a method and an apparatus for acquiring electrical measurements of an electronic device. The method and the apparatus comprise securing an elastomeric connector at least partially inside a cavity within a truncated front end of an electrical probe, wherein the electrical probe is physically and electrically coupled to an electric cable; physically and electrically coupling the electric cable to a data processor; electrically connecting the elastomeric connector end to said electronic device; and outputting electrical measurement data from the elastomeric connector end through the electric cable to said data processor. The advantages are that the connection can be single wire per probe or two wires per probe, with only a single physical connection required, and the lack of probe damage to the feature being probed.
US09529008B2 Sampling probes, systems, apparatuses, and methods
A sampling system is provided. The sampling system includes a housing. Mounted to the housing is a Hall effect sensor. A probe configured to contact a sample is inserted into the housing. The probe includes an elongated portion and a restorative spring inserted onto the elongated portion of the probe. The restorative spring provides sufficient restorative force to return the probe to a relaxed position. The Hall effect sensor is configured to sense a field strength generated by the proximity of the restorative spring of the probe in the extended position.
US09529003B2 Development and use of fluorescent probes of unbound bilirubin
Identification and use of proteins fluorescently labeled and that undergo a change in fluorescence index upon binding bilirubin are described. Probes are disclosed which are labeled at a cysteine or lysine residue and also probes labeled at both cysteine and lysine with two different fluorophores. These probes are useful for determination of unbound bilirubin levels in a fluid sample.
US09528993B2 Agents and methods related to screening for resistance to DR5 and reducing resistance to DR5 agonists
Provided herein is a method of reversing or preventing a target cell's resistance to a death receptor agonist. Also provided are methods of screening for biomarkers resistance of and monitoring resistance to death receptor agonists. Also provided are methods of selectively inducing apoptosis in a target cell, treating a subject with cancer, autoimmune or inflammatory diseases, comprising administering compositions provided herein. Further provided are compositions comprising agents that modulate CARD containing proteins.
US09528992B2 Methods and kits for detection of active malignancy
Various embodiments of methods and kits are disclosed for detection and/or diagnosis of cancer (e.g., active malignancy) in a subject patient by analyzing a first sample of the subject patient's albumin-containing extracellular fluid (e.g., blood serum). Some embodiments comprise analyzing a second sample of the subject patient's albumin-containing extracellular fluid obtained between 2 and 90 days (e.g., between 5 and 30 days) after the first sample.
US09528991B2 Individualized cancer therapy
In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods for treating cancer, comprising: obtaining a specimen of cancer tissue and normal tissue from a patient; extracting total protein; obtaining a protein expression profile; identifying over-expressed proteins; comparing the protein expression profile to a gene expression profile; identifying at least one prioritized protein target; designing a first RNA interference expression cassette; designing a first RNA interference expression cassette to modulate the expression of at least one gene encoding; incorporating the first cassette into a delivery vehicle; and providing a patient with an effective amount of the first delivery vehicle.
US09528990B2 Fluorogenic/fluorescent probes derivative from sulfoxanthene, and use thereof
The invention relates to fluorescent/fluorogenic probes of formula (I″) or (II″): wherein Z is chosen between: —NH2 and —OH, or in the fluorescence quencher group consisting of: —NO2; —N═N—R1; R1 being any organic group that does not obscure the corresponding azo bond; —NHCO-Pept.; Pept. being a peptide residue or any organic group that does not obscure the corresponding amide bond; —O-Glyc.; Glyc. being a oligoglycoside residue that does not obscure the corresponding glycosidic bond; —O—C(O)—R2; —O—P(O)(OR2)(OR2′) and —O—S(O)2—R2; R2 and R2′ being independently a hydrogen atom or an organic group that does not obscure the corresponding ester bond; and  Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd and Re being independently a hydrogen atom or any organic group that does not obscure the corresponding arylether bond so as not to prevent its possible cleavage by a myeloperoxidase activity. It also relates to the use of these fluorescent/fluorogenic probes, for the detection of an enzyme activity, notably in order to identify/discriminate microorganisms in function of their ability to express particular enzyme activities.
US09528989B2 Image-based quantitation of molecular translocation
The use of an imaging system, cell compartment markers, and molecular markers in methods for correlating the movement of molecules within a cell to a particular compartment are provided, including measuring and correlating molecule movement in adherent and non-adherent cells.
US09528988B2 Methods and kits for screening transplant recipients and candidates
Methods and kits are provided for determining of immunoglobulin isotypes and subclasses in a subject. In general the subject is a human who is a transplant candidate recipient or recipient, has allergies, or has an autoimmune disease. The method involves analyzing a sample of a body fluid of a transplant candidate or recipient, allergy patient or autoimmune disease sufferer and correlating the relative amounts of each immunoglobulin isotype and subtype, such that the distribution of isotypes and subtypes is an indication of success of the transplant in the candidate and recipient or the prognosis of the autoimmune disease.
US09528985B2 Discontinuous fluidic systems for point-of-care analyte measurement
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for using the controlled movement of magnetic particles using controlled magnetic fields in a fluidic device containing separated fluidic regions to detect analytes in solution by immunoassay, such as an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) for various medical and scientific applications. In order to achieve sequential exposure to the different chemical environments required in an immunoassay, magnetic particles are driven through fluid-containing chambers separated by air-gaps that may take the form of air bubbles or small open-air separations, for example. Externally controlled magnets coupled to actuators draw the flow of magnetic particles through air-liquid interfaces produced by microfluidic surface tension at the air-gap, washing the particles.
US09528983B2 Physicochemical modification and application of alginate gels for the controlled release of reagents in classical solution assays and microfluidic assays
A reagent assay in accordance with the present disclosure has a porous alginate core containing a first reagent, a first polysaccharide layer coating the alginate core and having a second reagent, and at least one polysaccharide core comprising a hydration seal and coating the first polysaccharide layer.
US09528982B2 Bad phosphorylation determines ovarian cancer chemo-sensitivity and patient survival
Despite initial sensitivity BAD-protein phosphorylation were evaluated in patient samples and cell lines as determinants of chemo-sensitivity and/or clinical outcome, and as therapeutic targets. Induced in-vitro OVCA cisplatin-resistance was associated with BAD-pathway expression. Expression of the pathway was also associated with resistance of 7 different cancers cell-types to 8 chemotherapeutic agents. Phosphorylation of the BAD-protein was associated with platinum-resistance in OVCA cells and primary OVCA specimens, and also overall patient survival. Targeted modulation of BAD-phosphorylation levels influenced cisplatin-sensitivity. A 47-gene BAD-pathway signature was associated in-vitro phospho-BAD levels and with survival of 838 patients with ovarian, breast, colon, and brain cancer. The survival advantage associated with both BAD-phosphorylation and also the BAD-pathway signature was independent of surgical cytoreductive status. The BAD apoptosis pathway influences human cancer chemo-sensitivity and overall survival. The pathway is useful as a biomarker of therapeutic response, patient survival, and therapeutic target.
US09528974B2 Friction apparatus and method for measuring lubricity of downhole fluids
A lubricity testing apparatus may have a first surface configured for moving against a second surface, a second surface, a measurement device in communication with the first surface, and an actuator in communication with the first surface. A fluid may be circulated about or over at least one of the surfaces. The measurement device may measure at least one force encountered when the first surface moves against the second surface. The actuator may move the first surface against the second surface. At least one force related to the first surface may be measured as the first surface moves against the second surface to determine the lubricity of the fluid.
US09528972B2 Dynamic recipe control
Nutritional substance systems and methods are disclosed enabling the tracking and communication of changes in nutritional, organoleptic, and aesthetic values of nutritional substances, and further enabling the adaptive storage and adaptive conditioning of nutritional substances.
US09528969B2 Apparatus, system and method for flash heating
A flash heater element includes a first surface having a central region and an electrical flow path disposed on the first surface. The electrical flow path includes a central portion disposed at least partially within the central region and a peripheral portion disposed peripherally outwardly from the central region. A width of the electrical flow path is greater within at least a portion of the central portion than within the peripheral portion.
US09528962B2 Sensor arrays and methods for making same
A system includes a sensor including a sensor pad and includes a well wall structure defining a well operatively connected to the sensor pad. The sensor pad is associated with a lower surface of the well. The well wall structure defines an upper surface and a wall surface extending between the upper surface and the lower surface. The upper surface is defined by an upper buffer material having an intrinsic buffer capacity of at least 2×1017 groups/m2. The wall surface is defined by a wall material having an intrinsic buffer capacity of not greater than 1.7×1017 groups/m2.
US09528957B2 Sensor interrogation
A method of operating a system having at least one sensor for detecting an analyte gas in an ambient atmosphere and a sensor responsive to oxygen includes providing a volume in fluid connection with the sensor responsive to oxygen. The volume has an open state in which the volume is in fluid connection with the ambient atmosphere and at least a first restricted state in which entry of molecules from the ambient atmosphere into the volume is restricted as compared to the open state. The method further includes placing the volume in the open state, subsequently placing the volume in the first restricted state, and measuring a dynamic output of the sensor responsive to oxygen while the volume is in the first restricted state. The dynamic output provides an indication of the status of one or more transport paths of the system.
US09528954B2 Biosensor chip having precise count function and method of sensing amount of cells
Disclosure is a biosensor chip having precise count function comprising: a substrate, a plurality of ground wire waveguide layers, a signal waveguide layer and a protective layer. Wherein, the plurality of ground wire waveguide layers are located on two sides of the substrate, the signal waveguide layer is located on the substrate and between the plurality of ground wire waveguide layers, wherein the signal waveguide layer has a recess which forms a cell sensing region; and the protective layer covers a portion of the ground wire waveguide layers and a portion of the signal waveguide layer to expose the recess.
US09528952B1 Pulsed neutron generated prompt gamma emission measurement system for surface defect detection and analysis
A method of determining structural defects in a component that utilizes neutron activation of a solution having the ability to penetrate small cracks on the surface of a material via capillary absorption that produces a discernable prompt gamma release of a defined energy when exposed to a neutron pulse. The intensity of the gamma rays produced at the desired energy at a user controlled position on the surface is used to determine the crack location, length and depth.
US09528949B2 Methods of detecting inhomogeneity of a layer and apparatus for performing the same
In a method of detecting inhomogeneity of a layer, an incident light may be irradiated to at least two regions of the layer at a first incident angle position. First reflected lights reflected from the two regions of the layer may be sensed. The incident light may be irradiated to the at least two regions of the layer at a second incident angle position. Second reflected lights reflected from the two regions of the layer may be sensed. The first reflected lights and the second reflected lights may be compared with each other to obtain the inhomogeneity of the layer. Thus, the layer having a spot may be found.
US09528946B2 Optical metrology for in-situ measurements
A method and system are presented for use in controlling a process applied to a patterned structure having regions of different layered stacks. The method comprises: sequentially receiving measured data indicative of optical response of the structure being processed during a predetermined processing time, and generating a corresponding sequence of data pieces measured over time; and analyzing and processing the sequence of the data pieces and determining at least one main parameter of the structure. The analyzing and processing comprises: processing a part of said sequence of the data pieces and obtaining data indicative of one or more parameters of the structure; utilizing said data indicative of said one or more parameters of the structure and optimizing model data describing a relation between an optical response of the structure and one or more parameters of the structure; utilizing the optimized model data for processing at least a part of the sequence of the measured data pieces, and determining at least one parameters of the structure characterizing said process applied to the structure, and generating data indicative thereof.
US09528945B2 Systems and methods for detecting crack growth
A system and method for detecting crack propagation in a material test specimen may include color contrasting a surface of a test specimen, acquiring a plurality of photographic images of the specimen during application of a stress load, processing the plurality of images to detect characteristics of pixels that are outside a baseline range of pixel characteristics indicative of a contrast between a crack in the test specimen and the color contrasted surface of the test specimen, and generating an output of a strain energy release rate based on changes in detected crack length over time.
US09528943B2 Device and method for detecting and/or determining the position of a barrier layer contained in the wall of a tubular packaging material
The invention relates to a device for detecting and/or determining the position of a barrier layer contained in the wall of a tubular packaging material. The device comprises an infrared source and an infrared receiver, said source and said receiver being placed so as to transmit (receive, respectively) infrared radiation through part of the wall of a tube containing a barrier layer to be analyzed. The invention also relates to a method of detecting and/or determining the position of a barrier layer contained in the wall of a tubular packaging material 15, the method comprising transmitting infrared radiation through a tube wall containing a barrier layer, receiving and analyzing said infrared radiation.
US09528937B2 Clinical examination apparatus and method
A clinical examination apparatus is equipped with a measurement unit which measures a patient's clinical specimen, an output unit which outputs the measurement result by this measurement unit and a storage unit which stores determination criteria of the measurement result by the measurement unit according to a medical organization. Moreover, the clinical examination apparatus determines whether or not the measurement result corresponds to a predetermined state based on the measurement result by the measurement unit and the determination criteria stored in the storage unit, for each medical organization, and upon determination that the measurement result corresponds to a predetermined state, allows the output unit to output information indicating the predetermined state.
US09528927B2 Weathering testing having a plurality of radiation sources which are independently operable of one another
The apparatus for artificially weathering or testing the lightfastness of samples has a weathering chamber, in which at least one sample can be arranged, and a plurality of radiation sources, which are arranged in the weathering chamber and which are operable independently of one another, wherein the apparatus is configured in such a way that the at least one sample is movable on a closed path around the plurality of radiation sources.
US09528920B2 Aspiration-free well plate apparatus and methods
A well plate includes a including a top portion, a bottom portion and a membrane disposed between the top portion and the bottom portion. The top portion defines a sample well in fluid communication with an opening defined by the membrane and in fluid communication with a reservoir defined by the bottom portion. The well plate is configured to be used in a centrifugation process of a test sample including a sample material and a wash liquid. The test sample configured to be received within the sample well and the reservoir. The membrane configured to filter the wash liquid from the test sample during the centrifugation process such that the wash liquid can pass from the reservoir, through the membrane and can be captured within a collection chamber while the sample material remains within the reservoir.
US09528917B2 Gas probes
A gas sampling probe is provided that includes an elongate member having an inlet end and an outlet end, and a sampling passage disposed within the member. The sampling passage extends from the inlet end to the outlet end. The inlet end comprises a curved outer surface. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US09528914B2 Non-intrusive sensor system
A non-intrusive sensor system includes an array of sensors disposed in a process to measure various input process phenomena and a logic unit that analyses the sensor measurements using an empirical model to produce an estimate of a further process phenomenon not measured directly by any of the array of sensors. The sensors within the array of sensors may be non-intrusive sensors that measure input process phenomena in an intrusive or non-intrusive manner but are non-intrusive with respect to the output process phenomenon as none of these sensors comes into direct contact with the process fluid or process element exhibiting the output process phenomenon. The sensors within the array of sensors can be any type of sensors that produce a measurement of a particular process phenomenon at the same or at different locations within a process.
US09528913B2 Method and systems for detection of compressor surge
A system for remote detection of surge in a fleet of turbine engines includes an on-site monitoring device coupled to each turbine engine of the fleet of turbine engines. The on-site monitoring device is configured to continuously receive operating parameter measurements indicative of operational and thermodynamic conditions of the turbine engine. The operational condition includes a compressor exit condition of the turbine engine compressor. The on-site monitoring device is configured to compile and transmit a snapshot of the operating parameter measurements to a remote monitoring unit. The remote monitoring unit is positioned remote from each turbine engine of the fleet of turbine engines. The remote monitoring unit is configured to receive the snapshot of operating parameter measurements from the on-site monitoring device. The remote monitoring unit is further configured to detect surge in the turbine engine based on analysis of the snapshot of operating parameter measurements.
US09528908B2 System and method of an integrated fiber optic inspection and cleaning apparatus
This disclosure concerns a cleaning and inspection system for fiber optics that is rapid, reliable and useful for various types of fiber optics. In an embodiment, the system includes a wide field of view (FOV) camera to image the ferrule and rapidly locate the fiber ends and a narrow FOV camera to provide detailed inspection of individual fiber ends. A cleaning module with a cleaning tip and a cleaning medium that is drawn through the tip is used to clean the fiber ends. Images captured by the dual cameras are automatically enhanced and analyzed to determine the effectiveness of the cleaning process and to identify the types and quantity of defects present. In another embodiment, a single higher resolution camera is provided with a lens that can image an entire fiber array and yet enable defects to be detected by analysis of sub-images of each fiber in the fiber array.
US09528906B1 Monitoring DOE performance using total internal reflection
Optical apparatus includes a diffractive optical element (DOE), which includes multiple optical surfaces, including at least an entrance surface and an exit surface, and a side surface, which is not parallel to the optical surfaces of the DOE. A grating is formed on at least one of the optical surfaces so as to receive radiation entering the DOE via the entrance surface and to diffract the radiation into a predefined pattern comprising multiple diffraction orders that exit the DOE via the exit surface. An optical detector is positioned in proximity to the side surface so as to receive and sense an intensity of a high order of the radiation diffracted from the grating that passes through the side surface of the DOE.
US09528893B2 Optical fiber pressure sensor with uniform diaphragm and method of fabricating same
An optical fiber sensor (100) can be used to measure pressure with high sensitivity and fine resolution. As a (108) at the end of the sensor expands or contracts, the spectrum of a beam reflected from the end of fiber shifts, producing a change linked to pressure exerted on the sensor. Novel aspects of the present inventive sensor include the direct bonding of a silica thin film diaphragm (110) to the optical fiber with localized or confined heating and a uniform thickness of the diaphragm. The resulting sensor has a diameter that matches the diameter of the optical fiber. Because the sensor is all silica, it does not from temperature-induced error. In addition, the sensor can be very sensitive because the diaphragm can be very thin; it can also make highly repeatable measurements due to its very uniform thickness.
US09528891B2 Slip ring containment band
A slip ring has a rotating portion configured to take in signals from rotating electric transmission elements, and communicate those signals into a static portion. The rotating portion has a plurality of resistors which rotate. The resistors have an outer peripheral surface, and a containment ring surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the plurality of resistors. A method of testing a rotating component is also disclosed.
US09528874B2 Reservoir sampling tools and methods
Techniques for sampling a subsurface reservoir include lowering a downhole logging tool comprising one or more samplers, a cleaner system, and a sample probe bit into a borehole until at least one sampler is positioned correctly in a subterranean reservoir; advancing the cleaner system into the reservoir cleaning mud filtrate and contaminated reservoir material away into a mud column; advancing the sample probe bit into the reservoir; and solvent is injected into the reservoir from the solvent reservoir.
US09528871B2 System for determining a liquid quantity and orientation
A system including a vessel, an image capturing device, and a processor. The vessel at least partially contacts a liquid, wherein the liquid has a liquid surface that is defined by a quantity of the liquid, a shape of the vessel, and an orientation of the vessel relative to a horizontal plane. The image capturing device is spaced apart from the liquid surface and captures an image thereof. The processor is in communication with the image capturing device for analyzing a characteristic of the image and determining an attribute of the liquid therefrom.
US09528870B2 Liquid reduction timing device
Disclosed herein is a liquid reduction timing device useful for cooking. More specifically, the disclosed liquid reduction timing device indicates to a user that a liquid has been reduced to a predetermined level when the level of the liquid is equal to the station of a movable indicator.